Trends in Family Formation: A Look at Same-Sex Marriage Essay example -

Introduction Family and marriage are social and divine institutions that are facing constant challenges due to the rapidly changing trends in society. In the past, the problems that families and marriages experienced were polygamy, early marriages, and family planning, but the current society experiences extra problems such as high rates of divorce, delayed marriages, single parenthood, cohabitation, and emergence of same sex marriages among other pertinent issues. The emergence of same-sex marriages complicated conventional and religious teachings for these teachings view same sex marriage as an immoral issue in the society that should never happen at all. Despite the denial and renunciation of the same sex marriage in the society, gays and lesbians continue to exist in the society while their numbers are increasing alarmingly. High rates of divorce and marriage abuses have left many young people wondering and questioning whether marriage is of any significance in life with regard to happiness and achievement. Glen argues that, â€Å"young adults delay getting married, not out of cynicism or apathy so much, but because of a near crippling anxiety over whether they will fail at marriage like so many of their parents did† (2012, np). Such and many other fears compel young people to get involved in aberrant sexual behaviors as gay and lesbianism in order to avoid problems associated with heterosexual marriages. Therefore, what are the trends, causes, and solutions regarding the issue same-sex marriage? Trends of Same-Sex Marriage Same-sex marriage is an emerging social and religious issue that is gradually finding its way in the legal system as constitutions of many countries recognize heterosexual marriage only. Conventional and ... ..., & Bynner, J. (2002). Learning, Family Formation and Dissolution. Centre For Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning, 4, 1-42. Glen, T. (2012). Family Formation Trends and Analysis: United States Overview. Focus on the Family. Web http://www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us/focus-findings/family-formation-trends/regnerus-family-structures-study.aspx Jost, K. (2003). Gay Marriage. The Congressional Quarterly Research, 13(30), 723-747. Marshall, W., & Sawhill, I. (2002). Progressive Family Policy in the 21st Century. Marriage and Legislation Journal, 1-49 Murphy, M. (2001). Marriage in the Modern World. Family and Society Studies, 1-17 Smith, R. (2006). Sexual Orientation in Children. Childhood Growth and Development, 26-39. Somerville, M. (2003). The Case against ‘Same-Sex Marriage’. The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, 1-11.