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A Queer View On Families:

Exemplified by Sociological Ideologies Challenging Contemporary and Historical Social Trends Toward Becoming a Family
N2
Christopher Davies (301593)

SOCIOLOGY SELF REFLECTIVE REPORT


2012.1

Table of Contents
1. Background.................................................................................................................. 3 3. The Dream of Rational Equality ........................................................................... 4 4. A Gap in Opinions? .................................................................................................. 6 5. Queer Eye From a Straight Guy .......................................................................... 7 6. In Summary .................................................................................................................. 9 7. References................................................................................................................. 10

"In reality, there are no biblical literalists, only selective literalists. By abolishing slavery and ordaining women, millions of Protestants have gone far beyond biblical literalism. It's time we did the same for homophobia."
- William Sloane Coffin -

1. Background
Most of the controversial banter regarding the placements of adoption that surrounded lesbians and gay men, has not only sprouted primarily from the general public, but also from social work professionals. This controversy seems to be the result of uncertainty regarding the effect of parenthood by gay men and lesbians on a childs development and general well being. Brook & Barths (as cited by Brooks & Sheryl, 2001) study showed that children who have been placed in out-of-home care often show signs of physical and emotional deterioration. These social errors can be ameliorated by placement in a stable and secure placement with an appropriate adoptive family. Existing psychological traumas such as those caused maltreatment may be overcome in normal adoptive circumstances. Placement however with homosexual couples, adds additional challenges and problems that would generally be non-existent when placing children with heterosexual couples . This could hinder the emotional recovery. There are no empirical studies to date on gay and lesbian adoptive families, however there is ample literature on the sociological studies of same sex couples and the biological family.

2. Gender Roles
2.1. Traditional Roles in Marriage
Gender roles have in recent years become a very controversial topic of discussion, mainly due to the fact that they are predetermined roles set for each person based on ascribed features from birth. While many see traditional gender roles as a foundation for development in young individuals, other now view them as a hindrance, which limits an individuals social option (Stark, 2004). From a conflict perspective, the gradual fading of traditional gender roles may cause young men and women to be persecuted for simply conforming to any of the traditional roles, while on the contrary others may receive resentment for rebelling against these older traditions. This very much depends on the culture and mindset of the society.

2.2. Early Development of Gender Roles 3

Studies have shown that the games and toys we play as a child, helps us prepare our minds for their roles we will possess as adults. These tools have a lot of bearing on how we, as children, view our ascribed roles as males and females when we become adults. Many companies like Mattel, market their toys to children, with traditional gender roles of boys and girls in mind, Barbies are for girls and Hot Wheels are for boys (Schaefer, 2004). These fixtures are present in almost all parts of childs life, blue cloths for boys, pink for girls; cartoons like Ben 10 for boys and My Little Pony for girls; cooking sets for girls and toy solders for boys. Early association to these influencing items helps a child develop an idea of how they should behave in society (Macionis & Benokraitis, 2010), and as they mature can either embrace or reject these ideas. Some of the public view same-sex parenting as a means of corrupting this natural development, thereby distorting a childs perception of what is deemed normal by society in regard to gender roles.

3. The Dream of Rational Equality


The federal government does not recognize same-sex marriage in the United States, but like some alcohol Tabaco and drug laws, these marriages are recognized individually by some states. In 1996 this non-federal recognition was codified by the Defense Of Marriage Act, which took eight years before Massachusetts became the first state in the US to approve marriage between same-sex couples in 2004 (Government, 2012). Following the recognition in Massachusetts, same-sex marriage has become legal in Connecticut since November 2008; in Iowa since April 2009; in Vermont since September 2009; New Hampshire since January 2010; and New York since July 24 2011. Although this has been a massive step towards gay rights, the pace is till slow. Similarly in the United States, adoption laws for same-sex couples are very tight on a federal plane but are gradually becoming less cumbersome in many states. Adoption by same-sex couples became legal in the District of Columbia in 1995, the states of New Jersey in 1998, New York in 2002, Indiana in 2006, Maine in 2007 and California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, Florida and the unincorporated territory of Guam in 2008 (Government, 2012).

The Rainbow (or Gay Pride) Flag was created by artist and vexillographer Gilbert Baker, in 1978.

New Yorks first same-Sex marriage on the 24th July 2011. Phyllis Siegel, 77 (above left), and Connie Kopelov, 84 24th July 2011

4. A Gap in Opinions?
Since 1965 Public opinion surveys have asked Americans very basic questions regarding attitudes toward homosexuals and acts of homosexuality. In a Harris poll 1965, 70% of the respondents felt believed that homosexuals were more harmful to the everyday American life, than good; 29% of the opinions were indifferent. The polls also showed that by the general opinion of the American public, only atheists and Communists were considered more of a threat than homosexuals. In the early 1970s, the General Social Survey (GSS) was launched. It included items about the morality of homosexual relations and to what level it should be tolerated, which at the time this was considered to be an unusual topic of question. In the same era most other public opinion based surveys did not touch on the topic homosexual behavior until the late 1970s, which is when the controversial debates on the stances gay rights pushed the conflict into politics and mainstream media (Harris, 1965; as cited by Herek, 2002). These surveys also clearly revealed a gap in attitudes of female and male respondents towards gay relationships. Even today, women tend to be more tolerant and less hostile than men towards the kinship of gay couples and their effect on society. This gap coupled with the rise of feminist rights and a stronger representation of female opinions may be the reason why homosexuality is slowly becoming more accepted in many societies worldwide (Herek, 2002).

5. Queer Eye From a Straight Guy


5.1. Microsociology of Homosexual Families
These are strictly my views and options in relation to the respective perspectives. Functionalist Perspective It can be argued that taking steps towards gay rights is societal progress towards freedom of choice. In my opinion however, the true functionality of this movement is much more complicated than just simply rights, especially when taking parenting into consideration. What choices are the children given? The consequences of having same-sex parents may not pose a social problem in early life (like gender roles), but may only be problematic later in life, like being teased or bullied as a teenager about the homosexual parentage. I believe that this is just one aspect of this complex issue that must be taken into consideration before we can clearly view same-sex parenting as a norm. Conflict Perspective There is a lot of conflict circumnavigating the righteousness of homosexual relationships especially where marriage is involved. In almost all religions it is forbidden to commit sodomy and (by interpretation) wrong to share matrimony with the same sex. As I am not a religious individual, I do not take stance or create opinion based on religious values, but as most of us know, many religious rules were created with the intention of creating a stable and ethical society. Modernists see these old principals as a form of control that restricts freedom of choice and the ability to be who we are or choose to be. The argument is then where do we draw the lines?

Intactionist Perspective From an integrationist prospective it is difficult to generalize the placement of homosexuality in society as it is very much dependent on the cultural and religious values of that society. It would be safe to say that outside American and western societies, homosexuality is still very much frowned upon, where as in America and many European countries law are easing and more places allow gay marriages. Unfortunately gays are still sentenced to death in some Middle-Eastern countries due to Islamic laws, while in others like Malaysia (also an Islamic country), although still illegal, it is not considered such as big a crime. Feminist Perspective The feminist movement over recent years has been a leader in the change for rights and equality. It would be fair to assume that the success of women receiving grater levels of equality and share of rights has been a strong motivator for other movements like gay rights (Steele & Price, 2008). Where it was previously seen as impossible for women to have equal rights, today many of these places now have laws enforcing these rights to equality. In my opinion the same will come for gay rights in the appropriate areas. I do not think that gays will be granted all the rights heterosexual couples or families have, but will achieve tolerance and rights of choice. In my opinion much of this success will be due to the opinions of women. As mentioned in the section above about opinion gaps, women have more compassion and understanding for the notion of gay rights, and with a rise in the strength and weight of female opinions, the scales will tip in favor of gay rights.

6. In Summary
Before choosing this topic for this report I was very strongly opinionated about homosexuality and their activities. This was mainly based on the perception I received during my time at school that gays are all faggots, a very sexually based opinion. However after reviewing all the literature needed to understand the dynamics of this topic I have come to understand, tolerate and even empathies some of the rights gays are fighting for. I still dont think that same-sex couples should be legally allowed to raise children, especially from young, as the true extent of the effects are still not yet fully understood. I personally believe that marriage is just a legal binding agreement of commitment between two people, and I dont see why this should be a privilege offered exclusively to heterosexual couples. As an anonyms author once said, if those gay lot want to suffer the hardships of matrimony, let them have it. Thats not to say I like seeing a man in a wedding dress, running out of a church followed by a posse of men in sailor uniforms, but just a higher tolerance to gay right.

7. References
Brooks, D., & Sheryl, G. (2001). Gay and Lesbian Adoptive and Foster Care Placements: Can They Met the Needs of Waiting Children. Social Work , 26 (2), 145. Government, U. S. (2012). World Factbook. Retrieved 04 10, 2012, from CIA: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/my.html Herek, G. M. (2002). GENDER GAPS IN PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT LESBIANS AND GAY MENGENDER GAPS IN PUBLIC OPINION ABOUT LESBIANS AND GAY MEN. American Association for Public Opinion Research , 66, 40-66. Macionis, J. J., & Benokraitis, N. V. (2010). Seeing Ourselves. NJ: Prentice Hall. Schaefer, R. T. (2004). Sociology A brief Introduction (Fifth Edition ed.). New York: Mc Graw Hill. Song, S., & Zalta, E. N. (2010, December). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved April 4, 2012, from Stanford University: http://plato.stanford.edu/cgibin/encyclopedia/archinfo.cgi?entry=multiculturalism Stark, R. (2004). Sociology. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadswort. Steele, S. F., & Price, J. (2008). Applied Sociology: Terms, Topics, Tools, and Tasks. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth. Travis, C., & Wade, C. (2001). Psychology In Perspective. Upper Saddle, NJ: Prentice Hall.

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