Order Number |
lkj876fe3q |
Type of Project |
ESSAY |
Writer Level |
PHD VERIFIED |
Format |
APA |
Academic Sources |
10 |
Page Count |
3-12 PAGES |
In “Counted Out: Same-Sex Relations and America’s Definition of a Family,” the authors identify three broad classes for defining a family: exclusionists, moderates, and exclusionists. Which do you identify with and why?
Original Post
I identify most with the moderate position, which sees a family as having a legal bond (marriage) or children. In my view, the exclusionist position is too restrictive.
They privilege the traditional heterosexual family, especially those married with kids. My biggest problem with the exclusionist position is that it excludes same-sex couples, even those with kids.
After the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all states, this position seems out of date and not in step with the current political climate.
Even without the Supreme Court ruling, I would agree with the moderate position that same-sex parents with kids should be considered a family.
Psychologically, it can be very harmful for kids for society to exclude them from being considered a family. It also matters legally.[Order Now]
As the lecture points out, the definition of a family impacts issues such as who gets health benefits, who can made medical decisions, and who has rights and responsibilities for children.
It’s important to be more inclusive so that more people have benefits. Moreover, as the authors point out, expanding the definition of a family can help get support for more egalitarian family policies that will help more people.
However, I wouldn’t go so far as to be an inclusions because it is too broad, and can include people without a really strong commitment, such as cohabiting couples.
Given how easy it is for them to separate, they don’t show the same depth of commitment for a family as those that have children or are legally married.
Response
I think you made a good point about the psychological part of being considered a family. I agree that it can be harmful if society is denying your family the status as a family.
However, that makes me lean more toward the inclusions perspective. The moderate position is still making a judgment that doesn’t fully take into account people’s own feelings about being part of the family.
Also, being married or having children doesn’t necessarily mean they are more committed. A downside here is that, as you mentioned, definitions have legal effects, so people’s feelings can’t be the only determination.
We do need some criteria. Finally, you mentioned that same-sex marriage is legal everywhere. The article showed that acceptance of same-sex couples increased from 2003-2006, following several states legalizing same-sex marriage.[Order Now]
I wonder if the support for same-sex families has increased after the Supreme Court ruling.