Marriage and same sex

The institution of marriage is under attack from all directions from a self centred, over indulgent world, seeking instant gratification of their desires with no regard for the consequences of their actions. If a majority of people votes in one or the other direction does it make the perception of marriage right or does it distort our perception that is the question we should be asking? Please remember that anything that distorts our perceptions is like a bug in the computer program that will make the computer crash, and therefore a factor that affects our mental health in the long run.

First of all we must ask what is marriage and the purpose of marriage? Marriage as one can see is a union of a male and female committed to living together with the sole purpose of raising a family. If one does not wish to raise a family, then I cannot see the point of getting married, unless of course for some economic and other social reasons. The institution of marriage is therefore basically designed to protect the children, the offspring of the union, not the adults. It is the children who need the love and security of the father and the mother figure as role models when they are growing up and not the adults. Adults can surely survive under all circumstances, married or single, it does not matter.

Thus when a marriage breaks down, who suffers? Clearly, the core (the parents) that binds the family unit is disturbed and it is the children who lose their emotional security. They suffer the most, because they are the ones being separated from someone that is part of them. There were times when adults accepted their responsibilities as parents and raised their families, no matter what disagreements they had. But now when relationships break down, we have an easy way out by having a divorce. This is the modern world we have created where responsibility for one’s action is the last thing on anyone’s mind.

The institution of marriage is also coming under attack from the same sex group who want to get married and enjoy the same rights in marriage as people in heterosexual marriages. Why shouldn’t they? Everyone has rights these days and there are economic reasons for pursuing this path.

However as described above, the institution of marriage is designed to protect the children of heterosexual marriages not the adults. If adults, married, single or same sex wished to do what they want to do, it is their choice, but is it wise to change the perception of marriage because a majority of people vote for it? If society wants to give same sex couple the same legal rights of heterosexual marriage, then let it be done under a different label such as “committed couple”, but please do not use the word “marriage”. That word automatically implies a “husband” and a “wife” in that relationship which indicates a male and a female partner.

This is what creates an instant contradiction in people’s mind in the same sex situation, which is not mentally healthy for anyone and which most people find it difficult to accept. By having a different label but retaining the same legal benefits for this group will surely eliminate any sense of discrimination against gay couples and will not distort our perception of marriage.

Read The Enchanted Time Traveller and learn how words affect your subconscious mind, and thus influence your mental health. Discover the power within you.