On the first of August this year, a bill will be put into action in Minnesota allowing same sex marriage in the state. Up to that point two people of the same sex were unable to be given the same right as “traditional” heterosexual couples. Previously homosexual couples were not given the same rights as married couples and were not in the eyes of the government considered a family.
What is a family? By definition a family is a social unit consisting of parents and there children dwelling together or not. In this definition of family there is nothing saying “Mother and Father” or that the parents must be married. This means that the core family is not about marriage it is about supporting each other and raising children in a nurturing environment.
Just because the government doesn't recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex doesn't mean that they have not been a part of their own family. In the United States at this time the image of a family is changing and some people are having trouble accepting this. The image that people have in their mind of a mother and a father raising their own flesh and blood is starting to transform. Two men and two women can raise children and be the core members of a family. Just because the children that they are raising are not their own fresh and blood doesn't mean that the same core values are not present in the family.
Family can also be a part community. In my family we have no relatives who live any closer than Cleveland, Ohio. Because of this we have formed a family with the people in our church and the neighborhood in which we live. The church I belong to is small so we know just about everyone. I know that if I ever need anything the people of my church would be there to help me. The same goes for my neighborhood. My parents have surrounded us with friends who are always looking out for us and supporting us in whatever we do. None of these people are my flesh and blood but the relationship that I have with them is one of a family.
This is a solid start, but nowhere nearly well developed enough to be responsive to the assignment. Also, proof your work. E.g., 'there children' should be 'their children.'
ReplyDeleteIt looks a good entry. You define a "family" clearly. I agree with you that it doesn't always refer to couples who get married officially but couples who support each other and dwell together can also be defined as a family. However, I think you need to write some more details about your formed of chruch family like how your that family works in a sociological way etc.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with your blog post. I think it was well written, but you need to explain more about the church community and how it is a community for you.
ReplyDeleteI like how you used gay marriage for this post. It is well written and interesting to read. I think you should visit the topic of children being raised by gay couples. This is a very hot topic issue, and would be interesting to incorporate into your blog.
ReplyDelete