Argument Analysis: Because Marriage Matters
English 102
March 26, 2014
Because Marriage Matters
Webster’s Dictionary defines marriage as: 1) the relationship that exists between a husband and a wife; a similar relationship between people of the same sex; a ceremony in which two people are married to each other. The full definition that Webster lists is: (1) 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 (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. Marriage equality is an issue that is loaded with intense emotions, both in those who oppose gay marriage, and in those who are working so diligently for equality. Marriage is a civil right …show more content…
The focus should not be on whether those parents are homosexual or heterosexual. There was a study by the Pediatrics magazine in 2010 and they found that children of lesbian mothers were rated higher than children of heterosexual parents in social and academic competence and had fewer social problems. The study also found that children of gay fathers were as well-adjusted as those adopted by heterosexual parents. (Klein) There are practical reasons that marriage equality needs to be put into place. There are over one-thousand Federal benefits that marriage offers; here are just a few benefits that most heterosexual couples would never even realize:
In times of crisis, heterosexual couples have hospital visitation rights and can make medical decisions for their spouse. Gay couples are not entitled to these rights.
Employers offer access to health insurance, bereavement leave if a spouse dies, and pension benefits to the surviving spouse. Gay couples are not entitled to these rights in most cases.
Heterosexual couples can file joint tax returns and enjoy the tax benefits that marriage
March 26, 2014
Because Marriage Matters
Webster’s Dictionary defines marriage as: 1) the relationship that exists between a husband and a wife; a similar relationship between people of the same sex; a ceremony in which two people are married to each other. The full definition that Webster lists is: (1) 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 (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage. Marriage equality is an issue that is loaded with intense emotions, both in those who oppose gay marriage, and in those who are working so diligently for equality. Marriage is a civil right …show more content…
The focus should not be on whether those parents are homosexual or heterosexual. There was a study by the Pediatrics magazine in 2010 and they found that children of lesbian mothers were rated higher than children of heterosexual parents in social and academic competence and had fewer social problems. The study also found that children of gay fathers were as well-adjusted as those adopted by heterosexual parents. (Klein) There are practical reasons that marriage equality needs to be put into place. There are over one-thousand Federal benefits that marriage offers; here are just a few benefits that most heterosexual couples would never even realize:
In times of crisis, heterosexual couples have hospital visitation rights and can make medical decisions for their spouse. Gay couples are not entitled to these rights.
Employers offer access to health insurance, bereavement leave if a spouse dies, and pension benefits to the surviving spouse. Gay couples are not entitled to these rights in most cases.
Heterosexual couples can file joint tax returns and enjoy the tax benefits that marriage