Traditional and Gay Marriage

The definition of marriage is the legally recognized union of two individuals. For many people that is the only definition. However, to others it means so much more than that. Marriage is not for the weak, it is not for people who are selfish and people who do not want to work at it. Marriage is being there for each other and being selfless for the other person. For those people who feel that it is much more than just a legal representation. They feel that two individuals coming together for life is more than a piece of paper. It is two individuals blending their lives together forever.

Marriage has been defined as “the legal status, condition, or relationship that results from a contract by which one man and one woman, who have the capacity to enter into such an agreement, mutually promise to live together in the relationship of husband and wife in law for life, or until the legal termination of the relationship.” (Marriage, n.d.) In 1973, Maryland became “the first state to pass a statute banning marriage between same-sex couples.” (Freedom to Marry, 2015) After much debate, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled for a ‘Freedom to Marry’ in all states, even against the states who still had a ban on same-sex marriage. (Freedom to Marry, 2015) Obviously, even with a federal ruling and over thirty years, there is still a

The definition of marriage has changed over time. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the United States defined marriage as a union between a consenting man and woman, of non-African decent (Stahlberg, 2008, p. 443). This, however, changed after the civil war. In 1868 two consenting adults of opposite gender could marry someone of the same race, but this was also restructured in 1967 to allow marriage of all consenting adults of opposite genders regardless of race (Stahlberg, 2008, p. 443). Today, the law looks very different. Recently, on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marriage (gay marriage, 2015).

Marriage is universally understood to be the legal union between a man and a woman. This acknowledgement, however, has recently generated dispute and controversy in certain individuals, primarily homosexuals and supporters of homosexual marriages. This opposition, due to this mainstream view, exists because certain states such as Minnesota deny same-sex marriages.

Traditional wedding vows state, “I, (name), take you (name), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part”(Callaway). Marriage is defined as two people bond together legally under the protection of laws. Couples are able to express and establish their life long relationships officially, publicly, and permanently. Due to the fact that homosexual relationships are increasingly more accepted by the public, gay marriage has become one of the most controversial topics throughout the US. The fundamental human right of marriage should not be limited to a man and a woman;

Marriage is a system of binding a man and woman together for the reproduction, care (physical/emotional), and socialization of offspring. Marriage is a social and legal contract between a couple and the state in which they reside that regulates their economic and sexual relationship. (David, Caroline: 2005)

Marriage can be defined as a legal union of people coming together, combing their resources, and committing to their partner(s). It functions more than just a union of two people and may have a much broader significance than the relationship between husband and wife. Marriage brings families together and expands families by having children. It also provides information of the growth of families from one generation to the next (Dettwyler, 2011).

What is the reason for two people to get married: for fame, for fortune, for family, or for love? Why should only those who have been deemed acceptable by society be allowed to marry? Do we as people have the right to deny two people who love each other a holy matrimony because they are different? Marriage has many definitions, and what some people think will destroy the sanctity of the marriage we hold so dearly has actually been keeping it alive for centuries. William Bennett’s essay “Against Gay Marriage” promotes a conservative marriage ideal while Stephanie Coontz’ “The Radical Idea of Marrying for Love” promotes multiple ideas of what marriage can be. Both have very different views on fidelity, monogamous marriages, and same sex couples and their effect on marriage. However there is clearly no one correct way to be married.

Marriage has been defined differently throughout the centuries. Today Merriam-Webster defines marriage as, “the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law” (“Marriage”). Due to the recent Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Transsexual or LGBT movement, Merriam-Webster also added a second line to the definition reading “The state of being

Wedding ceremonies are often held in a variety of religious chapels for the couple based on their belief. On the other hand, many relationships are accepting a new common trend as couples are now living together, as if they are indeed married but without a legal certificate nor have gone through any ceremonial traditions.

The definition of marriage has altered over the years due to changes within the government. Traditionally it was defined as the ​”legally ​accepted ​relationship between a man and a woman in which they ​live as ​husband and ​wife” in the Cambridge dictionary. However, those interpretations of marriage changed as people’s attitude matured and people became opinionated about their human rights. People believed that it should be up to the individual to make their decision about how to live their lives. One of our civil rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence, is the right to pursue happiness. That this right was given to everyone by the Creator and it’s up to the government to protect these rights. Despite that, many people of the

One of the most controversial topics that has been debated throughout the United States for decades has been Gay Marriage. Whether same-sex couples should be given the right to marry or even if same-sex couples should be given rights at all, this has been a contentious discussion which creates division and disunity throughout the country. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Gay marriage has been legalized in 17 states. But only 19 of 194 countries allow for gay marriage. Statistics show more than half the country supports Gay Marriage and the right for same-sex couples to be treated equal through the everyday endeavors every other couple go through. Gay Marriage should

America today is gripped in the controversial debate regarding gay rights; specifically, the right for two people who are of the same sex such as a man and man or woman and woman to be joined in the legal bond of marriage. The points of contention are largely separated into 4 main categories. The sanctity of the institution known as 'Marriage', the benefits gained from being married, family structure, and the growing impact of our society on a religious institution.

Same-sex marriage continues to be a very high debated issue in our society without a firm foundation to base our beliefs on, leaving most of us trying to find answers still. Now that the Supreme Court of the united states has rules that the constitution guarantees a right to same sex marriage’ What was known as “marriage”, the union of a man and a woman only, is starting to diverge. The Oxford Dictionary of English definition of marriage reads “the formal union of a man and a woman, typically as recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife”(381). The function of a dictionary is to give us an unbiased definition of what words mean. The words “husband” and “wife” show that marriage is a close union between a man and a woman. But people have decided to define the word how they seem to fit better their ideals, therefore altering the definition altogether. As it may be obvious, we can not look at a dictionary to find a strong belief; let me continue with the search of a strong bases and a firm foundation to which we can hold our beliefs.

What does marriage mean? By definition, marriage is “the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife” (Webster’s Dictionary). Most people claim that they want their marriage to last a lifetime. Because over half of all marriages in the United States end in a divorce, most people lack the understanding of what it takes to stay married. I believe that couples should become more aware of the commitment that they are making when they enter into marriage.