According to sociologists, marriage is the union of two individuals who love each other. Today we have two main forms of marriages; same-sex marriage and heterosexual form of marriage. Heterosexual marriage involves the union of two individuals who have different gender characteristics, while same-sex marriage involves the union of two people who have similar gender characteristics. Same-sex marriage is referred to as the homosexual marriage or gay marriage. In the modern world, same-sex marriage is not as popular as heterosexual marriage even though its popularity has grown rapidly in the recent decades. Most nations today such as the United States have legalized this form of union. However, this is not the case in some nations, most countries in Africa such as Kenya view same-sex marriage as immoral, and those practising it should be punished or exiled from the society. In Muslim countries, people who practice this form of marriage are subjected to mob violence. Traditionally, gay or homosexual marriages were not recognized in the society, but due to the present social changes, most nations across the globe have constitutionally accepted this form of marriage.
Even though the American constitution has fully recognized same-sex marriage, it still attracts different attitudes in the nations. This has, in turn, led to an increase of civil rights supporting the same-sex couples. According to civil rights activists, same-sex marriage is a legal union of two individual of the same gender. Studies show that not all every person in the society fully accepts this idea of lesbians and gay. According to Duncan and Kemmelmeier, in the 20th century, there was an increase in standard rights of same-sex marriage even though it was still not recognized legally, this shows that the society will gradually embrace the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ )community (Duncan " Kemmelmeier, 2012). However, we still have religions and cultures that disapprove of this notion, and hence they reject the approval and acceptance of civil rights of gay marriage. The opposition to same-sex marriage by most religions and cultures is the main reason why most countries haven’t yet legalized or recognized same-sex marriage constitutionally. Hence I propose research that will investigate different attitudes on same-sex marriage. Many researchers have argued that ethnicity, ideology, and religion affect peoples idea and understanding of same-sex marriage. In the last three decades, there have been tremendous alterations in the acceptance and tolerance of same-sex marriage. This has been witnessed through the legalisation of gay marriage by the Former president of the United States, Barrack Obama.
Aims
This research aim at analysing the relationship between same-sex marriage and the different attitudes people have towards it in the United States. The study will also assess different cultures, religions and generations in the United States when discussing various attitudes on gay marriage. In addition, the study also aims at increasing the understanding of the predictive factors of attitude change on same-sex marriage in America by exploring effective demographics and background factors that may cause change on people’s attitudes on same-sex marriage in the United States.
Literature Review
According to previous research materials, it’s evident that the issue of same-sex marriage has caused profound cultural anxiety in the United States in the recent times. Studies show that this issue has affected the nature of current and future marriages in the US. Various studies illustrate that the pace and extent of changes in peoples’ attitudes and beliefs on marriage and family are very rapid (Maisel " Fingerhut, 2011; Becker, 2012). Research focusing on the factors hindering people from accepting and embracing same-sex marriages show that religion and cultures are the main factors affecting peoples’ attitude (Yip, 2004; Becker, 2012; Ball, 2014).
According to Horne, religion is the strongest factor in shaping peoples beliefs and attitudes on issues regarding same-sex marriage in the American population (Horne, 2011). According to the Christians, which is the major religion in the United States, same-sex marriage is immoral. This idea has led to a moral discourse which is very popular in the United States (Maisel " Fingerhut, 2011). A survey done to investigate people’s attitudes toward lesbians and gay marriages show that more than 75% of America's population have a negative attitude on homosexuality. Thus they oppose the idea of legalizing same-sex marriage because they think it’s harmful and unhelpful (Chonody et al., 2012).
From these studies, we can see that, even though homosexuality has become so familiar and popular in recent times in America, people still have diverse ideologies, attitudes and beliefs on it. This has led to a debate on whether same-sex marriage should be legalized or illegalized. In the same aspect, we also understand the major cause of different attitudes among people on this issue is religion. However, we cannot conclude that religion is the primary cause of the negative attitude of the Americans on same-sex marriage. This is because some individual churches such as the Catholic has approved and accepted this idea. Additionally, this church has even gone further to have pastors who are gay.
On the other hand, existing research does not say what the primary cause of the rapid changes in the attitudes and beliefs of the Americans specifically young adults and teenagers who have embraced and accepted the idea of same-sex marriage is. This is the research gap which this study will expand extensively on. This study aims at overlapping the existing studies about the attitudes toward same-sex marriage and assesses how religion has affected peoples attitudes. This is because I believe that not everyone who opposes this form of marriage is religious and not all who embrace it are non-religious.
The significance of the Research
In reviewing existing research and studies as well as carrying out this study, the study will theoretically increase people’s understanding of what is happening in debates concerning the same-sex marriage in the United States.
Research questions
Studies objectives will be achieved by answering the following research questions:
1. What are the present conflicting attitudes and ideas on same-sex marriage in the United States?
2. What are factors affecting the legalization of gays and lesbians civil rights in the United States?
3. What are the factors behind the rapid alteration of people’s attitudes and beliefs on same-sex marriage?
4. Who is opposing the acceptance and the legalization of the LGBTQ community in the United States?
By answering these questions will increase the existing knowledge and understanding of the current debates on same-sex marriage. Practically, the results of this study will be significant for future study in understanding how to mitigate various issues in the modern society concerning lesbians and gays. Additionally, this will help the society in understanding the current ideology behind the LGBTQ community. In the modern society, there is great demand in understanding different attitudes on same-sex marriage, this because it affects the structure of the society and how the future generation will be brought up regarding marriage and family.
Proposed Research Methodology
Methodology
This research aims at carrying out a qualitative method of study since it will involve the collection of results that are guided by the ideology of the past and current attitudes people have on lesbian and gay people. The study will also measure the effects of various factors such as education, culture and religion have on peoples attitudes on the same-sex marriage using a qualitative form of research.
Data collection method(s)
The issue of same-sex marriage has gained many debates over the past three decades, and thus this research will analyse statistics from 1988 to 2016, conducted by the General Social Surveys. In analysing the surveys, the study will focus on the beliefs and attitudes different people have on same-sex marriage in the United States. The General Social Surveys are considered to carry out high-quality nationwide surveys in the United States which ask peoples on issues concerning same-sex marriage for a substantial period.
Apart from analysing data, the study will also assess different online polls carried out concerning same-sex marriage since 2009, when the former President of the United States legalised the civil rights of lesbians and gays. At this point, the study will use the secondary sources of information which are available both online and offline concerning, ideas, beliefs and attitudes towards same-sex marriage in America. Consequently, the study will also use questionnaires which will be distributed online in collecting data. The aim of using these questionnaires is to get the view of the research participants on what they think about the legalization of the civil rights of the gay and lesbian people. This will help the researcher to measure the current and the depth of understanding of same-sex marriage among different people.
Sampling method
In sampling, the study will use a non-random method of sampling in collecting surveys and existing studies. However, this method will be limited to secondary sources of data talking about ‘attitudes toward same-sex marriage,' and the data to be between the years 1988 and 2016. In the questionnaires form of collecting data, the study will use a random method of sampling. The questionnaires will be distributed randomly to increase the study population. Questionnaires will be filled in an anonymously way to protect the identity of the research participants. By doing so, we will ensure the probability of collecting accurate data.
Ethical considerations
Depending on the sensitivity of this study, the study will follow the following ethical considerations:
1. Respecting research respondents confidentiality by not including details such as name and address.
2. Recruitment of participants will be voluntarily and filling out questionnaires.
3. The research will also be independent and unbiased
4. I will also make sure quality and integrity is maintained all through the study
The scope of the Research
The main objective of the study aims to evaluate the current attitudes people have against same-sex marriage only, and thus it will not be concerned about any other type of marriage present in the modern world, and therefore this study will be limited to this form of marriage. The study will also cover the United States of America, and thus the results of the study won't by any manner affected by the ideas of different nations or policies implemented regarding same sex, and therefore, our study will be limited to its study area. The study assumes that every response given in the questionnaires will be valid, and accurate and the existing secondary sources of information such as the published researches will be used in collecting data which is independent and unbiased.
References
Ball, C. A. (2014). Same-Sex Marriage before the Supreme Court. Same-Sex Marriage and Children, 111-128. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199977871.003.0006
Becker, A. B. (2012). Determinants of Public Support for Same-Sex Marriage: Generational Cohorts, Social Contact, and Shifting Attitudes. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 24(4), 524-533. doi:10.1093/ijpor/eds002
Chonody, J. M., Smith, K. S., " Litle, M. A. (2012). Legislating Unequal Treatment: An Exploration of Public Policy on Same-Sex Marriage. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 8(3), 270-286. doi:10.1080/1550428x.2012.677238
Duncan, M. L., " Kemmelmeier, M. (2012). Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage: An Essentialist Approach. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 12(1), 377-399. doi:10.1111/j.1530-2415.2012.01290.x
Horne, S. G., Rostosky, S. S., " Riggle, E. D. (2011). Impact of Marriage Restriction Amendments on Family Members of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals: A Mixed-Method Approach. Journal of Social Issues, 67(2), 358-375. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2011.01702.x
Maisel, N. C., " Fingerhut, A. W. (2011). California's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: The Campaign and its Effects on Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Individuals. Journal of Social Issues, 67(2), 242-263. doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.2011.01696.x
Yip, A. K. (2004). Same-Sex Marriage: Contrasting Perspectives among Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Christians. Feminism " Psychology, 14(1), 173-180. doi:10.1177/0959353504040320
