In this day and age, many young people in the millennial generation question if marriage is a social construct or is it worth having a wife or husband. Recently, I’ve had the conversation with my friends about what they thought about marriage, and it was an intriguing discussion. Some of the comments mentioned were significant. Being part of the millennial generation, our view of how we portray society is different from our parents’ generation. We defined marriage as a building block for human civilization and is a social construct overall. Many individuals in the circle believed that adults are free to make choices about their relationships, and they do not need government sanction or license to do so. The government does not create marriage. Marriage is a uniquely comprehensive union. It involves a union of hearts and minds with an individual who we see we can spend our life with.
Marriage unites a man and a woman holistically—emotionally and bodily. Just as the complementarity of a man and a woman is important for the type of union they can form, so too is it important for how they raise children. There is mothering, and there is fathering, and children do best with both. While men and women are each capable of providing their children with a good upbringing, there are, on average, differences in the ways that mothers and fathers interact with their children and the functional roles that they play in the life they have created. In the group discussion, an individual mentioned that according to a study they have recently read- The advantage of marriage is only beneficial when children are involved. However, many others questioned if this social science claim is to only way, what about those children raised by individuals in same-sex households… does that type of structure not change the reality of what is beneficial in a marriage? From what I know, the social science on same-sex parenting is a matter of significant ongoing debate, and it should not dictate choices about marriage. In our society, many can say that marriage only benefits those relationships that are monogamy and is the norm. However, from a recent study that I have read, social science claims to show that there are “no differences” in outcomes for children raised in same-sex households, still, this does not change the reality in the world we live in.
Given its economic benefits, the government recognizing marriage supports economic well-being. While respecting everyone’s liberty, government rightly recognizes, protects, and promotes marriage as the ideal institution for childbearing and childrearing. But we must remember the government is not in the business to affirm the love we have for an individual in particular, but to make sure you pay your reasonable taxes as a citizen in society. The government leaves individuals to pick and choose who they love. Contrary to what some say, If the law recognized same-sex couples as spouses, would some argue that it fails to respect the equality of citizens in multiple-partner relationships? Are those inclined to such relationships being treated unjustly when their consensual romantic bonds go unrecognized? This topic is a discussion for debate for another date, however, I am a firm believer that the law should recognize all status of the different relationships individuals have. Marriage should not be exclusive to a man and a woman because society is bigoted or hateful towards a different belief, but we should embrace and respect individuals’ decision on how they live their life and show support in any way possible.
