The Meaning of the Institution of Marriage:
In recent years, the legalization of same-sex marriages has become an increasingly controversial issue that pits the gay and lesbian movement against religious conservatives (Shell 3). According to the gay and lesbian movement, the prohibition of same-sex marriages constitutes social oppression and discrimination (Rofes 31). This paper, however, takes the position adopted by the religious conservative movement: Marriage is a religious and moral institution that is confined to a monogamous relationship between a man and woman. Derived from the religious scriptures and founded on human nature, the traditional conception of marriage requires the union between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation (Canavan 113).
In the remainder of this paper, the perspectives of proponents and opponents of same-sex marriages will be presented in greater detail.
Supporters of same-sex marriages state that the prohibition of same-sex marriages is equivalent to an act of oppression that expressly discriminates against same-sex couples. Marriage thus constitutes an oppressive institution that promotes "exclusivity and bigotry" (Rofes 31). By preventing same-sex couples from participating in an act that is accessible to heterosexual couples, society has essentially singled out same-sex couples because of their sexual orientation (Rofes 31).
Within the context of ROGERIAN THERAPY, supporters of same-sex marriages highlight the need to treat same-sex couples with "empathy, genuineness and unconditional positive regard" as highlighted by Carl Rogers in his therapeutic approach (qtd. in Wickman and Campbell 178). Instead of imposing its conception about the institution of marriage on same-sex couples and condemning them for their sexual orientation, society should view same-sex couples with unconditional positive regard and acknowledge their perspective.
Apart from the social and psyc...