I recommend a "yes" vote on Proposition 8 for the following reasons:
1. When possible, children deserve a mother and father as parents. One of each, not two of either. How will a little girl learn about mothering with no mom? How will a little boy learn how to treat his wife without a father to show him? Other alternatives are not as good. Our society should be encouraging mother-father family units, not promoting alternatives.
2. The desire of two adults of the same gender to have an intimate sexual relationship should not trump the rights of children to a mother and father. I don't see how one can look a toddler in the eyes and say, "the law does not allow you to have a mother. You will not be allowed to have a mother because two people want to be your father." The child has needs beyond those of the parents.
3. Gender should not be removed from marriage. "Same-sex" marriage by definition takes the man and woman from marriage and replaces two identical entities. Marriage certificates should not read, as they do now, "Party A" and "Party B." The reason gender-sterile terms are used is that we do not have a name for genderless marriage partners.
4. It is a difficult and challenging issue. I mean no offense or disrespect to those who feel otherwise. Nor do I doubt the genuine love and parenting effectiveness of same-gender couples who are raising children, which may in many cases be better than single-parent situations or dysfunctional-marriage situations.
Jeffrey A. Robinson
13 years ago
