by David T. Bruce
We hear so much discussion regarding the sanctity of the family unit and the importance of family values. With a presidential election soon to come, the rhetoric surrounding the sanctity and legitimacy of same-sex marriages will be talked about more so. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines family as “a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head.” In this sense, a family can be what we typically envision, in which a man and a woman marry, raise children, and make a life for themselves. Businesses, schools, and communities may also be considered families.
As a music lover and a fan of many bands, I read and hear arguments that any given band is no longer the band it once was without a certain singer or without all founding members on board. This doesn’t seem quite fair. The band may be different following personnel changes, influenced by the new member’s inspiration and talent, but the name carries on nonetheless. Similarly, the family unit can morph and develop over time.
Family names carry on with the birth of a baby. Parents are divorced. A family member moves way or passes away. The family unit changes, yet the family name carries on. This concept of the family is not necessarily difficult for us to grasp. If a family can be blended, changing over time, then can our definition of the family and of marriage change as well?
Granted, much of the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage is faith-based. Presenting statistics is not necessary, however, when we begin to recollect in respect to how many times we have read of or heard of domestic crimes that occur within the traditional family unit. Family values are not inherent to a marriage solely between a man and a woman, and the sanctity of the family unit is tarnished in the light of violent crimes within the family.
With these ideas in mind, I struggle to understand why same-sex marriages must be the platform of anyone’s political campaign. With over 14 million Americans unemployed, over 69 million Americans on Medicaid, and a record 44 million Americans on food stamps, we have more to be concerned with in this country than two people falling in love, regardless of the genders of the couple. A 2009 analysis published in the New York Times illustrated that the approval of same-sex marriage would improve the economy in New York City and New York State. The same may be said for other states.
If our goal is to create a family unit with positive family values, then perhaps we need to reflect on our individual values that compel us to fear or hate two people because their vision of family skews our preconceptions. A family can have value and realize love whether the family is guided by a mom and a dad, a mom and a mom, or a dad and a dad. We need to put our resources and our energies to better use this election season.