Thank you, Miss California, for coining the term of the year. Opposite marriage, referring to the “a man and a woman” kind, needed the PR boost. Possibly life support.
Studies and trends are casting doubt on the future of the institution. The rate at which women have children out of wedlock has doubled in the last 20 years; matchmaking for the affair seeking men and women is unabashedly advertised (and over 3.8m members popular) online; divorce rates are petering off, but now the rate of marriages is falling; religion is losing its influence among most age groups, especially the youngest; and suburbia, with its picket fence and marital bliss, is ridiculed with more gusto than ever before.
In spite of (or possibly because of) these cracks in the hull, marriage continues to inspire a heated debate. The blitzkrieg gay marriage movement is stirring the passions of two opposing groups: those fighting for the survival of “traditional” marriage, and those fighting for its renewal. The traditionalists contend that marriage is a natural, sacred bond that can only be between a man and a woman. The renewalists argue that the idea of marriage must be more accepting and flexible; they argue for the legitimization of gay marriage. By pursuing this, I believe they are essentially seeking to renew a crumbling institution.
The two groups have in common their enthusiasm for an institution that is less convincing today than it was 50 years ago. Traditionalists view marriage as “natural” human tendency, although looking at the aforementioned data and recognizing the fact that they are misusing the term (so is it as natural as photosynthesis?), weakens their point. Renewalists insist marriage offer the same sacred value to gay couples as it does to straight couple, and that it not be watered down to “civil unions.” They are missing a key point: religion is only as tolerant as its leadership is. There are interpretations of the major religious texts that offer support for their argument, but these are far away from being widely accepted. For now, religion will not change course for anyone.
There will be a ruling on Prop. 8 by the California Supreme Court by the end of this week. It is unlikely that it will favor the renewalists. There will be more fights at the ballot box, in court rooms, and with picket signs in the years to come. Whatever the ruling this week it will add fervor to both sides for different reasons. What is undoubtedly true about this debate, however, is that one camp is seeking to keep a withering idea alive, while the other is attempting to give it new lifeblood. Either way, the fight for the definition of marriage benefits both sides. An old institution will continue to shuffle along. The question is, will it be spry or wheezing?
You might want to check these out, too:
Tags: gay marriage · miss california · prop. 9 · same-sex marriageNo Comments
0 responses so far ↓