- 12 Sep 2011, 03:42
#2283122
To nam (mom drugu i meni) je bila tema rada za Regionalni/Republicki Centar za Talente, koji je osvojio trece mesto na republickoj smotri 
I evo iskopah word fajl na kompu, pa se dosetih da vam pokazem.
Rad je organizovan kao debata, i tako smo i prezentovali rad, ja sam bio za a drug protiv. (iako smo obojica za, ali nismo hteli da bude cista 'propaganda' nego da izlozimo argumente obe strane; ali ocigledno je koja strana ima jace argumente 
).
Inace ovo je neka radna verzija, a i bilo je tu i par slicica ali nema veze. Mozda izgleda dugacko i dosadno, ali lepo smo mi sve to prezentovali, i bas je bila prava debatica, svi su ucestvovali. Jedini smo i dobili 50/50 na prezentaciji, ali na testovima nismo bas najbolje prosli, pa smo zato trece mesto
Elem, dosta palamudjenja, have a read and tell me what you think:
SUMMARY
Same sex marriage is a very controversial and sensitive subject at the present time, and we have
tried to cover it as objectively as possible. In this research, we will talk about same sex marriage
from various points of view like biological, psychological, religious, etc. We have also taken a
look at various statistic facts on this subject which are presented in this work. Also, this work is
formed in a type of a debate, rather than a plain lecture – we have displayed both the approval
and disapproval arguments, and during the presentation, one of us will take the ‘yay’ side, and
the other one will take the ‘nay’ side. We would also like to say that the purpose of this work is
not to impose an opinion; its purposes are merely educative and informative.
Key words: homosexuality, same-sex marriage, equal rights, debate, statistics
РЕЗИМЕ
Истополни бракови су веома контроверзна и осетљива тема данас, и покушали смо да ову
тему обрадимо што објективније. У овом истраживању, причаћемо о истополним
браковима из различитих тачака гледишта као што су биолошка, психолошка, религиозна
итд. Такође смо узели у обзир и разне статистичке чињенице, које смо приказали у овом
предавању. Напоменућемо и да је овај истраживачки рад састављен као нека врста дебате,
а не као обично предавање – представили смо и одобравајуће и неодобравајуће аргументе,
а током презентације, један од нас ће заузети страну за, а други против. Волели бисмо и да
додамо да циљ овог рада није да наметне мишљење; овај рад има искључиво едукативну и
информативну сврху.
Кључне речи: хомосексуалност, истополни бракови, једнака права, дебата, статистика
INTRODUCTION
Before we start talking about gay marriage, we should first define what being gay means.
Homosexuality is а romantic and/or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same
sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or
disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to
people of the same sex.[1] The most common adjectives in use are lesbian for women and gay for
men, though gay can refer to either men or women. Homosexuality is one of the three main
categories of sexual orientation, along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, within the
heterosexual-homosexual continuum.[2]
We shall now take a look at various statistic facts relative to our subject, and afterwards we shall
present arguments for and against same sex marriages, in a form of a debate. We shall deal with
questions like – is homosexuality something normal or a disease? Should same sex marriages be
allowed? And should same sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples (like child
adoption)?
Statistics
The number of people who identify as gay or lesbian - and the proportion of people who have
same-sex sexual experiences - are difficult for researchers to estimate reliably for a variety of
reasons. In the modern West, according to major studies, 2% to 13% of the population is
homosexual.[3][4][5] A 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population anonymously reported
some homosexual feelings, although relatively few participants in the study identified themselves
as gay.[6] Estimates of the frequency of homosexual activity also vary from one country to
another. A 1992 study reported that 6.1% of males in Britain had had homosexual experience,
while in France the number was 4.1%.[8] According to a 2003 survey, 12% of Norwegians have
had homosexual sex.[9] In New Zealand, a 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population
anonymously reported homosexual feelings. According to a 2008 poll, while only 6% of Britons
define their sexual orientation as homosexual or bisexual, more than twice that number (13%) of
Britons have had some form of sexual contact with someone of the same sex.[3] In the UK, the
UK Office for National Statistics survey have come up with the figure that 1.5% are gay or bisexual,
and suggest that this is in line with other surveys showing between 0.3% and 3%.[5]
So, as we can see, it really is hard to tell how widespread homosexuality is, since the results of
various polls range from 0.3% to 20%. Roughly estimated, that means there are between 24 000
and 1 600 000 homosexuals in Serbia. When we take all these percentages into account, we come
up with an average of 8.4% - which would mean that about 670 000 people in Serbia are gay.
As for the rights of the homosexuals, the rights vary from country to country.
Countries that allow same-sex marriage: The Netherlands, Belgium, Massachusetts, Canada,
Spain, South Africa, Connecticut, Norway, Iowa, Sweden, Vermont, New Hampshire, District of
Columbia, Argentina. [10]
Countries that allow some other type of partnership: France, Great Britain, Germany,
Switzerland, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia… [10]
Some countries forbid same sex marriage, and some countries even forbid homosexuality – and
the penalty for being homosexual is death. Those countries are: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen,
United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Nigeria, Mauritania. [10]
DEBATE
The subject of this debate is – should same sex marriages be allowed, and more importantly
should gay couples have the same rights as straight couples like marriage, adoption and
parenting. This will now be examined from various points of view like psychological, religious,
biological and legal.
Psychology
NAY:
If same sex marriages were allowed, that means that gay couples would be also allowed to adopt
and raise children. Numerous studies show that children need both a mother and a father figure
for a normal psychological development. For example, in mother-only or father-only families,
children often tend to experience short- and long-term economic and psychological
disadvantages; higher absentee rates at school, lower levels of education, and more delinquent
activity, including alcohol and drug addiction.[11] Also, a study presented at the symposium in
Mexico, “Homosexual Adoption: What Science Has Discovered”, revealed that most children
adopted by same-sex couples display “greater levels of stress,” and suffer from “suicidal
tendencies and attempts.” During a presentation on research conducted by George A. Rekers,
Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina, the
presenters noted that “boys and girls adopted by homosexual couples show a greater level of
stress than that which is already generated by their status as orphans or children abandoned by
their biological parents.”[12]
YAY:
But, on the other side, major associations of mental health professionals in the U.S., Canada, and
Australia have not identified credible empirical research that suggests that homosexual parents
are less fit and capable than heterosexual parents.[13][14][15] Also, the methodologies used in the
major studies of same-sex parenting meet the standards for research in the field of developmental
psychology and psychology generally. Globally, scientific research has been consistent in
showing that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their
children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children raised by heterosexual
parents.
Also, according to the American Psychological Association, California Psychological
Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers and
National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter, it is critically important to make
appropriate comparisons when comparing the outcomes of different forms of parenting. Maine
Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics states "We believe that the love, support and
devotion of the gay and lesbian parents for their children is no different from the love support and
devotion of other parents […] In our experience, which is backed up by scientific consensus,
children raised by gay and lesbian parents do not differ in any important aspects from those
raised by heterosexual parents. […] It is scientifically untenable to use studies about the effects
on children of divorce or being raised in one parent households, to draw conclusions about the
children raised in two parent households whether the parents are same or opposite-sex gender."[16]
Biology
YAY:
No simple, single cause for sexual orientation has been conclusively demonstrated, but research
suggests that it is by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences, with
biological factors involving a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine
environment. Biological factors which may be related to the development of a homosexual
orientation include genes, prenatal hormones, and brain structure.[17] The consensus of the
behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality
is not a disease, but a normal and positive variation in human sexual orientation.[18] Also
homosexuality is widely observed in animals.[7] And, even if it was considered as a negative
variation, sexual orientation is not a choice and it cannot be changed[18], thus forbidding same-sex
marriage will have no effect on the number of homosexuals.
NAY:
On the other side, traditionally, marriage and procreation have been tightly connected to one
another. Indeed, from a biological perspective, the primary purpose that marriage serves is to
secure a mother and father for each child who is born into a society. Among other things, the
danger with this mentality is that it fosters an anti-natalist mindset that fuels population decline,
which in turn puts tremendous social, political, and economic strains on the larger society. Samesex
marriage would only further undercut the procreative norm long associated with marriage
insofar as it establishes that there is no necessary link between procreation and marriage. Some
countries that have legalized or are considering legalizing same-sex marriage have some of the
lowest fertility rates in the world. For instance, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada have
birthrates that are well below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1. [19]
Religion
NAY:
Christianity is the most widespread religion in Serbia, so this part of the debate will be based on
that religion’s point of view. The Bible consistently proposes that homosexual activity is a sin
(Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9 etc.). Romans
1:26-27 teaches specifically that homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God. When
people continue in sin and disbelief, God “gives them over” to even more wicked and depraved
sin in order to show them the futility and hopelessness of life apart from God. 1 Corinthians 6:9
proclaims that homosexual “offenders” will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them
have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon
them."
YAY:
It is true that most people in Serbia classify themselves as Christians, but Serbia is a secular
country (meaning that the government does not endorse a religion, nor is the legal system based
on any religion), so that argument is practically invalid. Also, the Bible states the following:
Exodus 31:15 “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to
the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.”
Lev 24:16 “Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire
assembly must stone him.”
Lev 20:9 “All who curse their father or mother must be put to death.”
Should these statements be taken as seriously too?
Legality
YAY:
First of all, we are talking about civil marriages not religious marriages, so denying civil samesex
marriages would be a violation of religious freedom.[20] Also, restricting marriage to a union
between a man and a woman only is directly against the right to gender equality. The constitution
of Serbia contradicts itself since it does guarantee equality between men and women, and
developing a politics of equal opportunities (Article 15), but in Article 62 it defines marriage as a
union between a man and a woman.[21] So, should we forbid gender equality, or should we simply
allow same sex marriages?
NAY:
But, we have had many examples of gender inequality laws before, army training was mandatory
only for men, for example; yet it wasn’t seen as a big problem. Also, the process of changing the
constitution is very complicated – first it has to be proposed by at least one third of the National
Assembly, the President, the Government or at least 150 000 voters; then two thirds of the
National Assembly would have to agree on the change, and may decide to organize a referendum,
on which at least 50% of voters would have to vote affirmatively.[22] So, should we really go into
that much trouble and change the constitution itself for the sake of same-sex marriage?
Final word
NAY:
If same-sex marriages were allowed, it would weaken the definition and respect for the institution
of marriage and it would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society.
Also, that would mean that gay couples would be allowed to adopt and raise children which
would be bad, due to the possibility that those children could experience greater levels of stress,
and some social and psychological disadvantages. Some researches show that the homosexual
lifestyle leads to a much lower life expectancy, psychological disorders, and other problems; and
we shouldn’t be endorsing such lifestyles.[23]
YAY:
Same sex marriage doesn’t hurt society or anyone in particular, nor would it have any effect on
the people who don’t support it. There are many positive consequences - for example, number of
child adoptions would probably increase. Some would argue that this is a bad consequence, but
aren’t children better off in families where they have parents to care for them, than in orphanages
where they surely can’t get as much needed attention as in a family? Marriages also encourage
people to have strong family values and give up those high-risk sexual lifestyles that have been
mentioned.
CONCLUSION
We won’t draw any conclusions from this debate, since, as we have said, we don’t want to
impose or to promote an opinion. We have presented the arguments from various points of view,
both approval and disapproval. And deciding which side is the right one? We’ll leave that to you.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
[1] http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx
[2]
http://www.uis.edu/studentaffairs/safez ... tinuum.pdf
[3] http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/ ... ationships
[4] http://www.jstor.org/pss/2136206
[5] http://books.google.com/books?id=72AHO0rE2HoC
[6] http://www.narth.com/docs/nearly.html
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual ... in_animals
[8] http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/08/scien ... inbritain-
and-france.html
[9] http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local ... 633160.ece
[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_right ... _territory
[11] http://family.jrank.org/pages/1577/Sing ... ldren.html
[12] http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ ... th_samesex_
parents_prone_to_suicide_study_reveals/
[13] http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/userfiles/Doc ... of%20Same-
Sex%20Couples%20Position%20Statement%20-%20October%202006%20(1).pdf
[14] http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Fil ... Review.pdf
[15] http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/g ... icus29.pdf
[16] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwz4mlsBgU8
[17] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_an ... rientation
[18] http://www.apa.org/about/governance/cou ... ation.aspx
[19] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate
[20] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion
[21] http://www.srbija.gov.rs/cinjenice_o_sr ... ge_lang=en
[22] http://www.parlament.rs/content/eng/akt ... stav_9.asp
[23] http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/h ... ality.html
I evo iskopah word fajl na kompu, pa se dosetih da vam pokazem.
Rad je organizovan kao debata, i tako smo i prezentovali rad, ja sam bio za a drug protiv. (iako smo obojica za, ali nismo hteli da bude cista 'propaganda' nego da izlozimo argumente obe strane; ali ocigledno je koja strana ima jace argumente ).Inace ovo je neka radna verzija, a i bilo je tu i par slicica ali nema veze. Mozda izgleda dugacko i dosadno, ali lepo smo mi sve to prezentovali, i bas je bila prava debatica, svi su ucestvovali. Jedini smo i dobili 50/50 na prezentaciji, ali na testovima nismo bas najbolje prosli, pa smo zato trece mesto
Elem, dosta palamudjenja, have a read and tell me what you think:
SUMMARY
Same sex marriage is a very controversial and sensitive subject at the present time, and we have
tried to cover it as objectively as possible. In this research, we will talk about same sex marriage
from various points of view like biological, psychological, religious, etc. We have also taken a
look at various statistic facts on this subject which are presented in this work. Also, this work is
formed in a type of a debate, rather than a plain lecture – we have displayed both the approval
and disapproval arguments, and during the presentation, one of us will take the ‘yay’ side, and
the other one will take the ‘nay’ side. We would also like to say that the purpose of this work is
not to impose an opinion; its purposes are merely educative and informative.
Key words: homosexuality, same-sex marriage, equal rights, debate, statistics
РЕЗИМЕ
Истополни бракови су веома контроверзна и осетљива тема данас, и покушали смо да ову
тему обрадимо што објективније. У овом истраживању, причаћемо о истополним
браковима из различитих тачака гледишта као што су биолошка, психолошка, религиозна
итд. Такође смо узели у обзир и разне статистичке чињенице, које смо приказали у овом
предавању. Напоменућемо и да је овај истраживачки рад састављен као нека врста дебате,
а не као обично предавање – представили смо и одобравајуће и неодобравајуће аргументе,
а током презентације, један од нас ће заузети страну за, а други против. Волели бисмо и да
додамо да циљ овог рада није да наметне мишљење; овај рад има искључиво едукативну и
информативну сврху.
Кључне речи: хомосексуалност, истополни бракови, једнака права, дебата, статистика
INTRODUCTION
Before we start talking about gay marriage, we should first define what being gay means.
Homosexuality is а romantic and/or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same
sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or
disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to
people of the same sex.[1] The most common adjectives in use are lesbian for women and gay for
men, though gay can refer to either men or women. Homosexuality is one of the three main
categories of sexual orientation, along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, within the
heterosexual-homosexual continuum.[2]
We shall now take a look at various statistic facts relative to our subject, and afterwards we shall
present arguments for and against same sex marriages, in a form of a debate. We shall deal with
questions like – is homosexuality something normal or a disease? Should same sex marriages be
allowed? And should same sex couples have the same rights as heterosexual couples (like child
adoption)?
Statistics
The number of people who identify as gay or lesbian - and the proportion of people who have
same-sex sexual experiences - are difficult for researchers to estimate reliably for a variety of
reasons. In the modern West, according to major studies, 2% to 13% of the population is
homosexual.[3][4][5] A 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population anonymously reported
some homosexual feelings, although relatively few participants in the study identified themselves
as gay.[6] Estimates of the frequency of homosexual activity also vary from one country to
another. A 1992 study reported that 6.1% of males in Britain had had homosexual experience,
while in France the number was 4.1%.[8] According to a 2003 survey, 12% of Norwegians have
had homosexual sex.[9] In New Zealand, a 2006 study suggested that 20% of the population
anonymously reported homosexual feelings. According to a 2008 poll, while only 6% of Britons
define their sexual orientation as homosexual or bisexual, more than twice that number (13%) of
Britons have had some form of sexual contact with someone of the same sex.[3] In the UK, the
UK Office for National Statistics survey have come up with the figure that 1.5% are gay or bisexual,
and suggest that this is in line with other surveys showing between 0.3% and 3%.[5]
So, as we can see, it really is hard to tell how widespread homosexuality is, since the results of
various polls range from 0.3% to 20%. Roughly estimated, that means there are between 24 000
and 1 600 000 homosexuals in Serbia. When we take all these percentages into account, we come
up with an average of 8.4% - which would mean that about 670 000 people in Serbia are gay.
As for the rights of the homosexuals, the rights vary from country to country.
Countries that allow same-sex marriage: The Netherlands, Belgium, Massachusetts, Canada,
Spain, South Africa, Connecticut, Norway, Iowa, Sweden, Vermont, New Hampshire, District of
Columbia, Argentina. [10]
Countries that allow some other type of partnership: France, Great Britain, Germany,
Switzerland, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia… [10]
Some countries forbid same sex marriage, and some countries even forbid homosexuality – and
the penalty for being homosexual is death. Those countries are: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen,
United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Nigeria, Mauritania. [10]
DEBATE
The subject of this debate is – should same sex marriages be allowed, and more importantly
should gay couples have the same rights as straight couples like marriage, adoption and
parenting. This will now be examined from various points of view like psychological, religious,
biological and legal.
Psychology
NAY:
If same sex marriages were allowed, that means that gay couples would be also allowed to adopt
and raise children. Numerous studies show that children need both a mother and a father figure
for a normal psychological development. For example, in mother-only or father-only families,
children often tend to experience short- and long-term economic and psychological
disadvantages; higher absentee rates at school, lower levels of education, and more delinquent
activity, including alcohol and drug addiction.[11] Also, a study presented at the symposium in
Mexico, “Homosexual Adoption: What Science Has Discovered”, revealed that most children
adopted by same-sex couples display “greater levels of stress,” and suffer from “suicidal
tendencies and attempts.” During a presentation on research conducted by George A. Rekers,
Professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina, the
presenters noted that “boys and girls adopted by homosexual couples show a greater level of
stress than that which is already generated by their status as orphans or children abandoned by
their biological parents.”[12]
YAY:
But, on the other side, major associations of mental health professionals in the U.S., Canada, and
Australia have not identified credible empirical research that suggests that homosexual parents
are less fit and capable than heterosexual parents.[13][14][15] Also, the methodologies used in the
major studies of same-sex parenting meet the standards for research in the field of developmental
psychology and psychology generally. Globally, scientific research has been consistent in
showing that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their
children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children raised by heterosexual
parents.
Also, according to the American Psychological Association, California Psychological
Association, American Psychiatric Association, National Association of Social Workers and
National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter, it is critically important to make
appropriate comparisons when comparing the outcomes of different forms of parenting. Maine
Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics states "We believe that the love, support and
devotion of the gay and lesbian parents for their children is no different from the love support and
devotion of other parents […] In our experience, which is backed up by scientific consensus,
children raised by gay and lesbian parents do not differ in any important aspects from those
raised by heterosexual parents. […] It is scientifically untenable to use studies about the effects
on children of divorce or being raised in one parent households, to draw conclusions about the
children raised in two parent households whether the parents are same or opposite-sex gender."[16]
Biology
YAY:
No simple, single cause for sexual orientation has been conclusively demonstrated, but research
suggests that it is by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences, with
biological factors involving a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine
environment. Biological factors which may be related to the development of a homosexual
orientation include genes, prenatal hormones, and brain structure.[17] The consensus of the
behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality
is not a disease, but a normal and positive variation in human sexual orientation.[18] Also
homosexuality is widely observed in animals.[7] And, even if it was considered as a negative
variation, sexual orientation is not a choice and it cannot be changed[18], thus forbidding same-sex
marriage will have no effect on the number of homosexuals.
NAY:
On the other side, traditionally, marriage and procreation have been tightly connected to one
another. Indeed, from a biological perspective, the primary purpose that marriage serves is to
secure a mother and father for each child who is born into a society. Among other things, the
danger with this mentality is that it fosters an anti-natalist mindset that fuels population decline,
which in turn puts tremendous social, political, and economic strains on the larger society. Samesex
marriage would only further undercut the procreative norm long associated with marriage
insofar as it establishes that there is no necessary link between procreation and marriage. Some
countries that have legalized or are considering legalizing same-sex marriage have some of the
lowest fertility rates in the world. For instance, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada have
birthrates that are well below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1. [19]
Religion
NAY:
Christianity is the most widespread religion in Serbia, so this part of the debate will be based on
that religion’s point of view. The Bible consistently proposes that homosexual activity is a sin
(Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9 etc.). Romans
1:26-27 teaches specifically that homosexuality is a result of denying and disobeying God. When
people continue in sin and disbelief, God “gives them over” to even more wicked and depraved
sin in order to show them the futility and hopelessness of life apart from God. 1 Corinthians 6:9
proclaims that homosexual “offenders” will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them
have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon
them."
YAY:
It is true that most people in Serbia classify themselves as Christians, but Serbia is a secular
country (meaning that the government does not endorse a religion, nor is the legal system based
on any religion), so that argument is practically invalid. Also, the Bible states the following:
Exodus 31:15 “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to
the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.”
Lev 24:16 “Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death. The entire
assembly must stone him.”
Lev 20:9 “All who curse their father or mother must be put to death.”
Should these statements be taken as seriously too?
Legality
YAY:
First of all, we are talking about civil marriages not religious marriages, so denying civil samesex
marriages would be a violation of religious freedom.[20] Also, restricting marriage to a union
between a man and a woman only is directly against the right to gender equality. The constitution
of Serbia contradicts itself since it does guarantee equality between men and women, and
developing a politics of equal opportunities (Article 15), but in Article 62 it defines marriage as a
union between a man and a woman.[21] So, should we forbid gender equality, or should we simply
allow same sex marriages?
NAY:
But, we have had many examples of gender inequality laws before, army training was mandatory
only for men, for example; yet it wasn’t seen as a big problem. Also, the process of changing the
constitution is very complicated – first it has to be proposed by at least one third of the National
Assembly, the President, the Government or at least 150 000 voters; then two thirds of the
National Assembly would have to agree on the change, and may decide to organize a referendum,
on which at least 50% of voters would have to vote affirmatively.[22] So, should we really go into
that much trouble and change the constitution itself for the sake of same-sex marriage?
Final word
NAY:
If same-sex marriages were allowed, it would weaken the definition and respect for the institution
of marriage and it would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society.
Also, that would mean that gay couples would be allowed to adopt and raise children which
would be bad, due to the possibility that those children could experience greater levels of stress,
and some social and psychological disadvantages. Some researches show that the homosexual
lifestyle leads to a much lower life expectancy, psychological disorders, and other problems; and
we shouldn’t be endorsing such lifestyles.[23]
YAY:
Same sex marriage doesn’t hurt society or anyone in particular, nor would it have any effect on
the people who don’t support it. There are many positive consequences - for example, number of
child adoptions would probably increase. Some would argue that this is a bad consequence, but
aren’t children better off in families where they have parents to care for them, than in orphanages
where they surely can’t get as much needed attention as in a family? Marriages also encourage
people to have strong family values and give up those high-risk sexual lifestyles that have been
mentioned.
CONCLUSION
We won’t draw any conclusions from this debate, since, as we have said, we don’t want to
impose or to promote an opinion. We have presented the arguments from various points of view,
both approval and disapproval. And deciding which side is the right one? We’ll leave that to you.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
[1] http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/sexual-orientation.aspx
[2]
http://www.uis.edu/studentaffairs/safez ... tinuum.pdf
[3] http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/ ... ationships
[4] http://www.jstor.org/pss/2136206
[5] http://books.google.com/books?id=72AHO0rE2HoC
[6] http://www.narth.com/docs/nearly.html
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual ... in_animals
[8] http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/08/scien ... inbritain-
and-france.html
[9] http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local ... 633160.ece
[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_right ... _territory
[11] http://family.jrank.org/pages/1577/Sing ... ldren.html
[12] http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ ... th_samesex_
parents_prone_to_suicide_study_reveals/
[13] http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/userfiles/Doc ... of%20Same-
Sex%20Couples%20Position%20Statement%20-%20October%202006%20(1).pdf
[14] http://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Fil ... Review.pdf
[15] http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/g ... icus29.pdf
[16] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwz4mlsBgU8
[17] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_an ... rientation
[18] http://www.apa.org/about/governance/cou ... ation.aspx
[19] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate
[20] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_religion
[21] http://www.srbija.gov.rs/cinjenice_o_sr ... ge_lang=en
[22] http://www.parlament.rs/content/eng/akt ... stav_9.asp
[23] http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/h ... ality.html
