Does denying same sex-marriage conflict with the American Dream?

Pre-University Paper , 2012 , 17 Pages , Grade: Sehr Gut Minus (13 Punkte)

Didactics for the subject English - Miscellaneous

The dream of an America with boundless possibilities has shaped the American society over centuries. As the historian James Truslow Adams defined the phrase “The American Dream“ in 1931, it is the “dream of a land, in that life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with the opportunity for each according to ability or achievement“ and in that everyone should “be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the furtuitous circumstances of birth or position”.

The idea of the American dream is rooted in the United States´ Declaration of Independence which declares that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”.

However there are issues like homosexuality and same-sex marriage that, with regard to the ban on same-sex marriage present in most of the United States, seem to be contrary to the notion of the American Dream.

Thus one has to ask: Don´t gays/lesbians deserve the Pursuit of Happiness and the same rights as heterosexuals? Does marriage fit in as an inalienable right? Or quite simply, does denying same-sex marriage conflict with the American Dream?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Present Situation
• The New Civil Rights Dispute
  • Opposition: Biblical and Natural Law Arguments
  • Support: Liberal and Constitutional Arguments
  • Proposition 8
• Children of Homosexual Parents
• Example: The Life of a Californian Lesbian Couple
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the question of whether denying same-sex marriage conflicts with the American Dream. It investigates the current situation regarding same-sex marriage in the United States, exploring both the arguments in favor and against legalizing it. The paper also considers the impact of Proposition 8 in California and the experiences of children raised by homosexual parents.

• The American Dream and its core values in relation to same-sex marriage
• The legal and social acceptance of homosexuality in the United States
• Arguments for and against same-sex marriage, including religious, legal, and ethical perspectives
• The impact of Proposition 8 on the rights of same-sex couples in California
• The experiences and well-being of children raised by homosexual parents

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction establishes the context of the American Dream and its relevance to the debate surrounding same-sex marriage. The present situation chapter provides statistics on the prevalence of same-sex couples in the United States and the legal landscape regarding same-sex marriage. The chapter on the new civil rights dispute examines the arguments for and against same-sex marriage, focusing on religious, legal, and ethical perspectives. The chapter on children of homosexual parents explores the impact of same-sex parenting on children's well-being. The example chapter provides a personal account of a Californian lesbian couple and their family life. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and arguments of the paper.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Same-sex marriage, American Dream, civil rights, homosexuality, Proposition 8, LGBT, legal recognition, societal acceptance, family structure, children of homosexual parents, legal equality, constitutional rights, religious arguments, natural law, liberal arguments, social movements.

• Grade: Sehr Gut Minus (13 Punkte)
• Author: Wiebke Marie von Bremen (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 17
• Catalog Number: V302228
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668006188
• ISBN (Book): 9783668006195
• Language: English
• Tags: Homosexualität, Homosexuality, gleichgeschlechtliche Ehe/ Heirat, USA, US, Same-sex marriage, Facharbeit, Essay, American Dream, Amerikanischer Traum