Same Sex Marriage

"Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred. It is an association that promotes a way of life, not causes; a harmony in living, not political faiths; a bilateral loyalty, not commercial or social projects.” (U.S. Supreme Court). Marriage has been defined as a religious & legal commitment between a man and woman, as well as an expression of love. Homosexuals have not been allowed to partake in these commitments and the rising support for same sex marriage is becoming more of an issue for the government and voters. There are those that are against same sex marriage, who believe that marriage should be strictly between a man and a woman (Barber), and then there are those who believe that it is up to the individual on whom they want to marry (Quindlen). Despite the complexities surrounding the issue of gay marriage and the expansive argument on either side authors Anna Quindlen and La Shawn Barber present extremely simplistic yet opposing views on same sex marriage. Anna Quindlen and La Shawn Barber both believe that the overall structure that comes from a marriage is extremely important. They both agree that marriage promotes the common good by building families and raising children. Children are a major issue and both want what is best for them but who’s to say what is best for them. Barber beliefs surround the idea that homosexual parents would be incapable of raising a child and that by having two parents of the same sex will not allow the child to have the “proper” adult figures in their life such as have a father or a mother. Quindlen argues that by not allowing homosexuals to get married they cannot adopt children therefore those children cant receive any type of parental figures. They both also believe that the physical structure of society is extremely important and each side believes that marriage is major contributing factor towards it. This common ground between the two is the