The Social Impact of #SameSexMarriage
25 Apr 2023 14:32:50
Same-Sex marriage is a topic getting discussed in India now. The Supreme Court of India is having a daily hearing on this matter. The CJI has made some comments which attracted sharp criticism from many people in society. But what is same-sex marriage? What are the pros and cons of it? What are the studies on this topic in the countries where Same-sex marriage is legal?
For decades researchers have reported that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience a range of significant health disparities and a disproportionate rate of negative health outcomes. Adolescents with same-sex attraction are more than twice as likely as their peers to attempt suicide. Gay men are at higher risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, while lesbians are less likely to access preventive services for cancer. LGBT people have higher rates of smoking and alcohol and drug abuse. Elderly LGBT people are more likely to experience social isolation and face barriers to accessing needed care.
Also Read: #SameSexMarriage : Drushti Stree Adhyayan Prabodhan Kendra conducts survey, ask people to join
The study by Raifman and coauthors and other studies exploring the impacts of such policy changes on LGBT health outcomes have relied on databases that include information about sexual orientation. While an increasing number of surveys conducted by state and national agencies have been adding questions on sexual orientation, as well as gender identity, in recent years, that trend might be undergoing a reversal at the federal level. In March 2017 LGBT health advocates reported that the government had removed a question about sexual orientation from an annual survey of seniors who receive services through federally funded programs. A similar question has been removed from a federal survey of people who receive services for disabilities. These are the individual impacts on a person’s health. Apart from this, the social impacts are also far-reaching. The institution of marriage was created to provide a secure future to the offspring of two individuals ie. Kids. The religious, social, and cultural impact of this institution is incalculable. It has provided a safe and secure environment for generations of kids for thousands of years. That safety and security in adolescence have led to the human civilization that we know today. There are several reports and research papers that have talked about several social issues with Same-Sex marriage. Here is one example.
The decriminalization of same-sex relationships was largely accepted by Indian society without any serious opposition. Which is a unique case in the world. No country has accepted the decriminalization of same-sex relationships as easily as we did. Same-sex relationships are about individual life choices and preferences, whereas marriage is a social contract wherein conventionally it has been between a man and a woman to provide safety and security to each other and their children. The impact of same-sex parents on kids is yet to be evaluated by thorough research as the phenomenon even in the West is quite recent that is less than 20-25 years. This is why changing a fundamental and age-old institution like marriage requires more data to analyze and understand the impact on children and society in general. If we legalize same-sex marriage in haste and the unpleasant impact is visible after 25-50 years. It would be even more difficult to reverse the decision on same-sex marriage.