The Same Sex Marriage (Essay Sample)

Same Sex Marriage
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Same Sex Marriage
A marriage can be described as a union which is accepted ritually, socially or has been legalized by legislation. It can be categorized into same sex marriage otherwise known as homosexual marriage or opposite sex marriage that can also be referred to as heterosexual marriage. Opposite sex marriage is the most popular form of marriage and is practiced by most couples. On the other hand, same sex marriage is rare but it is slowly taking root around the world especially in western countries.
Earlier, psychologists and psychiatrists thought that same sex marriage was as a result of a certain mental illness. However, some researchers have suggested that it originates from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some people may have stronger sex hormones of the opposite gender hence being attracted to members of the same sex. This is supported by by Ellis (1901) who suggests that it is inborn, therefore, not immoral in anyway. Attraction to same sex is normal and trying to change a person's sexual orientation results in psychological distress (Herek, 2010). Growing up in a country or neighborhood where same sex marriage is practiced may also lead to people engaging in the vice.
Studies show that same sex marriage thrived in traditional European society but it did not draw a lot of attention and criticism as it does today. According to Herek (1997-2012) the modern perception on homosexuality resulted from legal, medical and religious beliefs. This changed drastically in the twelfth century as people became more resentive of homosexuals and hatred spread fast in secular places and churches. Same sex marriage was treated as unnatural act as observed by Boswell (1980) and it remains so in modern times. Many South American colonies passed tough laws to hinder homosexuality, for example, in New Haven breaking the law resulted in death sentence (Katz , 1976). Due to stigma and stiff penalties, gays and lesbians could not participate in activities such sports while others lost their jobs. This resulted in the victims engaging in the act secretly to avoid discrimination or being arrested. For instance, some people who were married to opposite sex still had secret same sex partners. Same sex marriage was a taboo and didn't really exist in the African and Asian society. It is believed that the vice was imported from the European countries and slowly spread in the two continents in the twenty first century.
In modern society organizations that seek protection of gays and lesbians have come up. The aim of the activists is to dispel the notion that same sex marriage is evil and want it treated as same sex marriage. According to American psychological Association (2010, October) laws that bar gay, bisexuals and lesbians from marriage cause stress which affects their mental and physical health. Research also shows that couples in same sex marriage can maintain long-term relationship and even adopt children (Patterson, 2010) . Activists efforts are bearing fruits and the modern society is slowly accepting the practice. In fact, homosexuality has been legalized in 23 countries that include; Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland ( from 2017), France, Greenland ( from 2015 October), Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New