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Chapter 8 Same Sex Couples and Families. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5_UBFHd1x4. Same Sex Couples and Families. Is marriage between one-man and one-woman a cultural universal? . What drives our attitudes toward same sex marriage and relationships? Religion? School ? Government?
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Chapter 8Same Sex Couples and Families http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5_UBFHd1x4
Same Sex Couples and Families • Is marriage between one-man and one-woman a cultural universal?
What drives our attitudes toward same sex marriage and relationships? • Religion? • School? • Government? • Mass Media? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9l52J36ht8
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Mixed-Orientation Relationships • Gay and lesbian couples tend to be more similar to, than different from heterosexual couples. • Relationship satisfaction is related to having equal power and control, being emotionally expressive, perceiving many attractions to the relationship, and commitment.
Relationships • Heterosexual couples enjoy social and institutional support for their relationships. • Gay male and lesbian couples must cope with stress created by antigay prejudice and discrimination. • Negative self image • Low self-esteem • Yet, Relationship satisfaction is reported at about equal to that of heterosexual couples
Relationships • Gay and lesbian couples tend to disagree about the same issues that heterosexual couples argue about. • The political experience • Same-sex couples tend to maintain a more positive tone throughout an argument. • Losing a partner may also mean losing networks • Most gay males and females prefer monogamous, long-term relationships. • Gay men report greater interest in casual sex than do heterosexual men.
Relationships • The majority of bisexual women and men tend toward primary relationships with the other sex. • Mixed-orientation couples are those in which one partner is heterosexual and the other partner is gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Legal Recognition and Support of Same-Sex Couples and Families • Lawrence v. Texas: a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision that invalidated state laws that criminalized sodomy—oral and anal sexual acts • Prior to that ruling sodomy was illegal in 13 states.
Legal Recognition • U.S. states and countries throughout the world recognize same-sex couples in a variety of ways. • Civil union • Domestic partnership:
Legal Recognition • There is no federal recognition of same-sex couples in the United States. • States grant rights and responsibilities. • Most of the Fortune 500 companies provide health benefits to same-sex couples.
Legal Recognition • As of today, 14 states and the District of Columbia offered marriage licenses to same-sex couples. • Just over half of Americans oppose gay marriage. • Defense of Marriage Act: legislation passed by Congress denying federal recognition of homosexual marriage and allowing states to ignore same-sex marriages licensed by other states • (DOMA was struck down by the supreme court in 2013), However….
Legal Recognition Arguments in favor of same-sex marriage: • Violation of civil rights • Denial of rights and benefits accorded to other spouses • Promoting relationship stability • Beneficial to children • Religious teachings promoting fairness and equality
Legal Recognition Arguments against same-sex marriage: • View of homosexuality as immoral • Damaging heterosexual marriage • Subverting stability of heterosexual families • Religious views
LGBT Parenting • One third of lesbians and one fifth of gay men are parents. • Over 10 million children are being reared by gay parents. • Gays become parents through prior heterosexual relationships, assisted reproductive technology, or adoption.
LGBT Parenting • Research concludes that children of gay and lesbian parents are just as likely to flourish as are children of heterosexual parents. • Children benefit from having two parents.
LGBT Parenting • Lesbian and gay parents are often discriminated against in child custody, visitation, adoption, and foster care. • Second-parent adoption: a legal procedure that allows individuals to adopt their partner’s biological or adoptive child without terminating the first parent’s legal status as a parent
Chapter Summary • Gay and lesbian parents often face prejudice and discrimination but evidence suggests their children are just as likely as others to flourish. • Antigay bias has negative consequences for heterosexuals.
Chapter Review • What are the different terms that refer to the diverse forms of sexual orientation? • How prevalent is homosexuality and bisexuality? • How do beliefs about sexual orientation affect attitudes? • What is heterosexism? • What are LGBT relationships like?
Chapter Review • What are the legal issues regarding same-sex couples? • What are the LGBT parents issues? • How are heterosexuals negatively affected by antigay bias?