Marriage or Living Together - Does It Really Matter?

Over the last several decades living arrangements have changed dramatically. In 1970 only 1 million opposite sex couples lived together outside of marriage. By 2007 this number had increased to 6.4 million. 1.

Living together without a marriage commitment has become a popular arrangement. Some have no intention to get married, enjoying the conveniences and freedom to leave if things aren't satisfactory. Others see living together as a trial marriage - to see 'how it goes'.

However, many children are born into these arrangements. Having a child is a lifetime commitment to support and care for this person throughout his or her lifetime. Children deserve and need the love and support of both a mother and a father.

Social science research studies overwhelmingly show marriage, rather than 'living together', as providing better support for men, women and children throughout their lives.

All relationships fall into troubled times. Marriage offers promised permanence and support 'in sickness and health, in plenty or want, till death do us part'. Marriage vows serve as glue that holds people together to support each other even in difficult times.

Marriage provides the best support for children during their years of growing and developing.

Marriage creates healthier individuals. People who are married and committed to helping each other through all the changing times of life are better off emotionally, physically, financially and vocationally than unmarried partners. Marriage partners are more likely to be faithful. 2.

Conclusions from social science research show that a commitment to marriage: 3.

* increases the likelihood that both fathers and mothers have good relationships with their children,

* reduces poverty and material hardship for women and children,

* is associated with better health and lower rates of injury, illness and disability,

* reduces the risk of delinquent and criminal behavior, especially for boys,

* reduces the risk of child abuse,

* increases the ability of children to do well in school.

In planning life arrangements for children and family well-being, it is important to consider all the information that will support a healthy lifestyle.

References:

1. Jayson, Sharon. "Census reports more unmarried couples living together". USA Today. 7/28/2008.

2. Warren, Dr. Neil Clark. "The Cohabitation Epidemic". Focus on the Family. June/July 2003:10-11.

3. Institute for American Values. Why Marriage Matters, Second Edition: Twenty-Six Conclusions from the Social Sciences. New York:NY. 2005:10-11.

Speak Out Against Pornography!

OFFENSIVE TO MANY!

Although obscenity and indecency are not protected by the First Amendment, in June of 1999 Forbes magazine contended that the mainstreaming of pornography had developed into a $56 billion business. Pornography is profitable to an extensive network of people. 1.

However, what benefits some is offensive and harmful to many. Criminal Justice statistics document that in 1996, 38 percent of Americans thought pornography should be illegal for everyone, and 58 percent thought it should be illegal for persons under eighteen. 2.

SPEAK OUT!

Citizens are encouraged to speak out to protest obscenity in our culture by:

* writing letters to the editors of the local paper to express concern,

* writing to elected officials to actively prosecute obscenity, and

* writing letters of complaint to businesses that distribute or advertise pornography.

SAMPLE LETTER (or write your own)

Dear Owner/Managers

While shopping in your store recently I noticed that you sell pornographic magazines. Please consider the harm such materials have on children's lives, our families and our community.

Statistics show that the largest consumers of pornography are children ages 12 to 17 - formative years of a young person's emotional and sexual development.

Young people are being drawn into early and promiscuous sexual behaviors. Addictions are created that harm healthy relationships and tear apart marriages and families.

* The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 4 teen girls has a sexually transmitted disease, often leading to cancer or infertility.

* Since 1973, more than 50 million abortions have been performed in the U.S.

- over 80% to unmarried women, 52% to women younger than 25 years of age, 19% to teens.

* 40% of births are now out-of-wedlock births.

* Out-0f-wedlock births and the increase in divorce leaves many men out of the important role of fatherhood and leaves children without a father for guidance and support.

* Children born to unwed mothers are six times more likely to live in poverty.

* Pornography is used by predators to lure children and young women into abuse and prostitution.

* Rapists and serial killers repeatedly identify pornography as a formative factor in their behaviors.

You have no obligation to sell pornography. This is not a matter of censorship. It is a matter of good citizenship and responsible choice as to what is appropriate material to be placed in a store where families shop.

Please consider replacing these materials with something more responsible. I'm sure many people in the community would support you in this decision.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to this concern.

Sincerely,

(Sign your name)

*************************

If polite letters are not effective, pressure on elected officials to support legislation actively prosecuting obscenity and indecency in the community and media would be appropriate and necessary.

Our children and grandchildren should not be burdened by the immense moral burden that is being passed on to them by our careless abandonment of foundational personal and social values.

References:

1. Thomas, Cal. "Selling out a heritage; AT&T becomes a top provider of pornography."

World magazine. Vol. 15, No.25 (June 24) 2000:31.

2. Henslin, James M. Social Problems. 5th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:Prentice-Hall. 2000:75-81

3.American Family Association. A Guide to What One Person Can Do About Pornography.

www.afa.net/pornography/PornGuide.pdf. pg. 41-45.

Speak Out Against Pornography!

OFFENSIVE TO MANY!

Although obscenity and indecency are not protected by the First Amendment, in June of 1999 Forbes magazine contended that the mainstreaming of pornography had developed into a $56 billion business. Pornography is profitable to an extensive network of people. 1.

However, what benefits some is offensive and harmful to many. Criminal Justice statistics document that in 1996, 38 percent of Americans thought pornography should be illegal for everyone, and 58 percent thought it should be illegal for persons under eighteen. 2.

SPEAK OUT!

Citizens are encouraged to speak out to protest obscenity in our culture by:

* writing letters to the editors of the local paper to express concern,

* writing to elected officials to actively prosecute obscenity, and

* writing letters of complaint to businesses that distribute or advertise pornography.

SAMPLE LETTER (or write your own)

Dear Owner/Managers

While shopping in your store recently I noticed that you sell pornographic magazines. Please consider the harm such materials have on children's lives, our families and our community.

Statistics show that the largest consumers of pornography are children ages 12 to 17 - formative years of a young person's emotional and sexual development.

Young people are being drawn into early and promiscuous sexual behaviors. Addictions are created that harm healthy relationships and tear apart marriages and families.

* The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 4 teen girls has a sexually transmitted disease, often leading to cancer or infertility.

* Since 1973, more than 50 million abortions have been performed in the U.S.

- over 80% to unmarried women, 52% to women younger than 25 years of age, 19% to teens.

* 40% of births are now out-of-wedlock births.

* Out-0f-wedlock births and the increase in divorce leaves many men out of the important role of fatherhood and leaves children without a father for guidance and support.

* Children born to unwed mothers are six times more likely to live in poverty.

* Pornography is used by predators to lure children and young women into abuse and prostitution.

* Rapists and serial killers repeatedly identify pornography as a formative factor in their behaviors.

You have no obligation to sell pornography. This is not a matter of censorship. It is a matter of good citizenship and responsible choice as to what is appropriate material to be placed in a store where families shop.

Please consider replacing these materials with something more responsible. I'm sure many people in the community would support you in this decision.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to this concern.

Sincerely,

(Sign your name)

*************************

If polite letters are not effective, pressure on elected officials to support legislation actively prosecuting obscenity and indecency in the community and media would be appropriate and necessary.

Our children and grandchildren should not be burdened by the immense moral burden that is being passed on to them by our careless abandonment of foundational personal and social values.

References:

1. Thomas, Cal. "Selling out a heritage; AT&T becomes a top provider of pornography."

World magazine. Vol. 15, No.25 (June 24) 2000:31.

2. Henslin, James M. Social Problems. 5th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:Prentice-Hall. 2000:75-81

3.American Family Association. A Guide to What One Person Can Do About Pornography.

www.afa.net/pornography/PornGuide.pdf. pg. 41-45.

Pornography and Sex Trafficking: The Rape of Our Children - What Can Be Done?

THE TRAGEDY OF SEX TRAFFICKING

Sex trafficking (sex slavery) has become BIG BUSINESS in our country. "The FBI estimates that more than 100,00 children and young women ages 9-19 are trafficked for sexual profit in the United States. The average age of entry into the sex trade is 11 to 13 years old." 1. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that 300,000 minors are at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial use. 2.

Recently the San Antonio Express News reported that a 13 year old girl in San Antonio had been "tied up and raped day after day by random men". Brothers who were supplying drugs in their neighborhood allowed men to rape her for 25$ extra. (12/8/10; 12/9/10:2B)

Tanya was a 12 year old girl when she accepted a ride home from an older boy who befriended her. Her life changed forever when he physically beat her to establish his 'ownership' and then prostituted her out to over 100 men per month. 3.

PORNOGRAPHY LIGHTS THE FIRE.

Pornography is fuel that fires the demand for this tragic market.

Without the demand, there would be no sex market and no sex slavery.

Before the 1950's, porn was sold undercover from the trunks of cars. In 1953 Playboy brought it into living rooms. The portrayal of children as sexual objects was promoted by Playboy, Penthouse and Hustler, which regularly depicted children in sexual scenarios. 4.

Pornography now brings in more $$$ than all the sports franchises combined!

NOT PROTECTED SPEECH

In 1957, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that prurient representations (images presenting immoderate or unwholesome sexual interest or desire) are not protected by the First Amendment.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO COMBAT PORNOGRAPHY.

* Write letters of complaint to businesses that distribute or advertise pornography.

* Write letters to the editor of the local paper to express concern.

* Write letters to your U.S. Attorney and State Prosecutor, Senators and Representatives asking them to support legislation to actively prosecute obscenity in the media and to strengthen penalties for human traffickers.

* Ask religious leaders to address pornography as a spiritual problem.

* Support organizations that are speaking to these concerns, including:

- The American Family Association

- Citizens for Community Values

- Concerned Women for America

- Covenant House

- Morality in Media, Inc.

- Shared Hope International

- The Parents Television Council

SPEAK OUT!

Obscenity is defined by community standards which are determined by people who speak out.

+ To protect the well-being of our culture, our children, and our families, concerned people need to take a stand for decency in our cultural depictions of sexuality.

References:

1. Vincent, Lynn. World. April 19/26, 2008. Vol. 23, No. 8. pg.57.

2. International Crisis Aid. www.crisisaid.org. pg. 1

3. James, Teddy. "The New Abolitionists" AFA Journal. October, 2009:14.

4. Parillo, Vincent N. Contemporary Social Problems. Allyn and Bacon, Boston. 1999:105-109.

A Mushrooming Social Problem

Pornography is both a controversial and an emotional issue.

Pornography depicts sexual behavior in a way designed to sexually excite the viewer.

In defining pornography a distinction is made between erotica, (depiction of sexual passion and love) and pornography (depiction of sexual behavior that presents men, women or children in a way that dehumanizes, degrades or exploits them).

Pornography is further classified as either 'soft core' (R-rated) or 'hard core' (X-rated). 1.

IDENTIFYING OBSCENITY

Pornography is labeled 'obscene' when it sinks to exploitation and portrays humans as mere objects. Obscenity is not speech protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

In Roth v. U.S. (1957), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that materials are pornographic or obscene when:

1. "Taken as a whole", the dominant theme "appeals to a prurient (lewd) interest" in sex.

2. The material affronts "contemporary community standards",

3. The material is "utterly without redeeming social values."

In California v. Miller (1973) the Court removed ambiquities of the earlier decision by keeping the dominant "prurient" theme but explaining that community standards referred to the local community. The reference "without redeeming social values" was eliminated.

MANY DEEP CONCERNS

While there is controversy about what constitutes pornography, the fear that pornography corrupts people deeply concerns many Americans.

Almost everyone agrees that pornography should be restricted.

In 1996, a report published in Criminal Justice Statistics noted that:

* Only 3% agreed that pornography should be legal for everyone,

* While 38% agreed that pornography should be illegal for everyone,

* 58% agreed that pornography should be illegal

for persons under eighteen. 2.

PORNOGRAPHY MUSHROOMS

Before the 1950's, pornography was something considered inappropriate and sold undercover from the trunks of cars. In the last 60 years the distribution of pornography has mushroomed.

The publication of Playboy magazine in 1953 brought it out into living rooms and public awareness.

In 1973, Americans spent $10 million on pornography. By 1997, pornography had become an eight billion dollar industry. 3.

CHILD PORNOGRAPHY - A PARTICULAR CONCERN

The portrayal of children as sexual objects was promoted by Playboy, Penthouse, and Hustler magazines, which regularly depicted children in sexual scenarios. A content analysis of these magazines between 1953 to 1984 yielded 6,004 depictions of children ages 3 to 11 in erotica/pornography. 4.

The portrayal of sex with children is of particular concern. Legislation in 1982 (New York v. Ferber) and 1990 (Osborne v. Ohio) defined any lewd depiction of a child under the age of 18 years to be illegal. 5.

Federal legislation provides prison terms to people who either produce or possess child pornography.

CONCERNING PORNOGRAPHY

Some people argue that pornography provides a safety valve for the private release of sexual fantasies. They hail it as 'safe sex', safe from pregnancy or disease.

Others are concerned that pornography degrades women and children and desensitizes men to violence against them.

In 1986, the Meese Commission, appointed by President Reagan, found "a causal relationship between exposure to sexually violent materials and an increase in aggressive behavior toward women." 6.

Specific findingsof the Meese Commission include:

1. Of 411 offenders, the average had 336 victims,

2. Rape increases where pornography laws are liberalized,

3. Rapists are much more likely than non-offenders to have been exposed as children to hard-core pornography.

4. States with higher sales of pornography have higher rates of rape. 7.

A DANGEROUS ADDICTION

Pornography is addictive and leaves the viewer wanting more. Addiction can lead to desires that escalate from viewing pictures; to visiting strip clubs; to prostitution and voyeurism; to felony behaviors.

A STAND FOR DECENCY

Our culture is being sexually saturated with an increasing avalanche of pornography. Obscenity is defined by community standards which are determined by people who stand up and speak out. If we are to protect the well-being of our culture, ourselves, our children and our families, it is necessary for all concerned people to become active in taking a stand for decency in our cultural depictions of sexuality.

REFERENCES:

1. Palen, J. John. Social Problems for the Twenty-First Century. McGraw Hill, Boston. 2000:447-450.

2. Henslin, James M. Social Problems. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2000:75-81.

3. Veith, Gene Edward. World magazine. April 7, 2001. Vol. 16, No. 13:17.

4. Parrillo, Vincent N. Contemporary Social Problems. Allyn and Bacon, Boston. 1999:105-109.

5. AFA.net. American Family Association. www.afa.net/FAQ.aspx?id=2147484819.

6. Palen, pg.449.

7. Henslin, pg. 78.

Prude Pride - Restoring Sexual Sanity

"The real corrupters of society may be, not the corrupt, but those who have held back the righteous leaven, the salt that has lost its savor, the innocent who have not even the moral courage to show what they think of the effrontery of impurity." 1.

Sexual temptations are pulling the moral foundation out from under our culture, our children's lives and our families. Young people are being drawn into early and promiscuous sexual relationships.

Our parents and grandparents would have made a public outcry against the sexual portrayals that assault us. Today we are silent and leave it to the 'sexperts' to advise us.

CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SILENCE

* The Center for Disease Control reports that 1 in 4 teens has a sexually transmitted disease, often leading to cancer or infertility. 2.

* Since Roe vs. Wade, more than 50 million abortions have been performed in the U.S.

- 81% to umarried women; 52% younger than 25 years of age; 19% to teens. 3.

* 40% of births are now out-of-wedlock births. 4.

*Out-of-wedlock births and the increase in divorce leaves many men out of the important role of fatherhood and leaves 40% of children without a father for guidance and support. 5.

*Condoms, with a 14% actual use failure rate, are handed out freely in schools, even at the junior high level. 6.

* Homosexuality, the leading cause of HIV/AIDS, is being taught as a normal lifestyle even in elementary schools and kindergartens. "One in five sexually active gay and bisexual men has the AIDS virus, and nearly half of those don't know they are infected." 7.

SIMPLE AND COMPLEX PLEASURES

We have been blessed with an abundance of simple pleasures for our sensual enjoyment;

* sunshine sparking on water,

* brilliant flowers and sunsets,

* wind blowing through our hair,

* cool water on a hot day.

Sexual relationships are complex pleasures.

Sexual behaviors involve the life of another person in action and experience.

Relating to another person in a sexual way involves the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional aspects of the person's life.

Sexual relationships are much more than toys for personal hedonistic and temporary pleasures.

Sexual behaviors affect:

*the way people feel about themselves and others,

* the way people relate to the past and the future, and

* the way people relate to family and friends.

Above all, sexual behaviors can produce new life which deserves honor and respect.

CONSENSUAL SEX HAS FAR REACHING TIES.

When family, friends, and community relationships are drawn into the often destructive and painful consequences of sexual behaviors, consensual sex cannot be appropriately limited to decisions between sexual partners.

When casual sex results in sexually transmitted diseases that cause infertility, AIDS, or other debilitating diseases more people are affected than the persons engaging in the sex act.

When adultery results in broken vows and broken marriages, innocent children and spouses are deeply and cruelly hurt.

Sexual relationships require interpersonal responsibility for the participating parties and for the larger community of family and friends in which the persons are embedded.

PRUDE PRIDE - It's time to speak up!

It's time to restore wisdom to our sexual behaviors, using caution, circumspection, reason and good judgment.

It's time to proudly and boldly uphold prudence in our approach to sexual relationships.

It's time to cherish and protect our sexual life and the sexual life of others.

It's time to speak up and restore sexual sanity in our society.

REFERENCES

1. Thom, J.H. 1928. Daily Strength for Daily Needs. New York: Grosset & Dunlop. pg.221.

2. Associated Press. March 11, 2008. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23574940.

3. Associated Press. Nov. 21, 2006. MSNBC.com.

4. Harris, Gardiner. "40% of babies born to unwed." San Antonio Express News. May 14,

2009:6A.

5. Blankenhorn, David. Fatherless in America. NY: Harper Perennial. 1996.

6. Workshop Summary: Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted

Diseases. June 12-13, 2000. http://www.3.nlaid.nih.gov/about/organization/dmid/PDF/

condom report.

7. Stobbe, Mike. "HIV rate high in bisexual, gay men". San Antonio Express News. Sept 24,

2010:11A.

Summarizing the Second Year of Concerns

At the end of March 2010, 'Concerning This' celebrated it's second year of discussion and comment on social issues that create social problems. In his book, Contemporary Social Problems, Vincent Parrillo defined four elements of a social problem.

Elements of a Social Problem: 1.

1. They cause physical or mental damage to individuals or society.

2. They offend the values or standards of some powerful segment of society.

3. They persist for an extended period of time.

4. They generate competing proposed solutions.

* FIRST YEAR ENTRIES

The first year of blog entries in 'Concerning This' was summarized in the entry of March 27, 2009. These discussions dealt with social concerns related to the breakdown of the family, sexually transmitted diseases, pornography, secularization of society, euthanasia, abortion, and movements toward reproductive technologies, homosexuality and socialism.

* SECOND YEAR ENTRIES

Summaries of discussion from May 5, 2009 through this entry are listed here.

A Mother's Day Tribute - May 5,2009

Mom wrote poetry to express her thoughts and feelings. She passed away at 89 after passing on a rich heritage of love to her children and grandchildren. Six of her poems are included, ending with her ode to 'Night'.... "Listen, my soul, To the silence of peace, Enveloping night in it's lazy release."

Obama, Socialism, Jewish Influence and the Threatened Family - June 17, 2009

Pastor Jeremiah Wright and James von Brunn, who killed a security guard at the Holocaust Museum, both accuse President Obama of being influenced by Jewish socialism. A San Antonio Express News columnist, Jonathan Gurwitz, dismisses them as 'nutjobs on the left and right'. I reproduce my guest column that was printed in The Ithaca Journal on December 7, 1976. I wrote this article, titled "The Nuclear Family: Is It Threatened by Science?", as a graduate student at Cornell University. I express concerns related to ideas expressed by Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner, a Jewish professor of Human Ecology, who was at that time actively promoting a movement toward socialism.

Health Care Reform Begins at Home - July 2, 2009

Each of us makes decisions about our physical and psychological health and wellness. Lifestyle choices related to eating, exercise, cleanliness, drinking, smoking, drug use, reckless driving, sexual behaviors, and family relationships can create personal illness and injury. Health and wellness begins with us and our personal choices.

Keys to Loving Family Relationships - January 10, 2010

Loving relationships within the family lay a foundation for personal health and wellness. The family is the unique organization in which we become whole in our relationships. This wholeness requires that we grow in the graces of faithfulness, patience, forgiveness and self-control. Four keys that help unlock healthy relationships in our families include: Positive communication, Money management, Conflict resolution and Attitudes of gratitude.

The Gay Battle for Social Reorganization of America - January 29, 2010

The movement to bring homosexual behavior into social acceptance is challenging every social institution with fundamental change, including the government and legal systems, educational systems, the professional health industry, corporations, religious organizations, the institution of marriage and family, the media, and the military. This entry introduces the discussions that examine the social problems introduced by this struggle.

(2) Reforming Education - February 3, 2010

In 1974 the National Education Association added 'sexual orientation' to its resolution on nondiscriminatory personnel policies. The normalization of homosexuality became politically correct in academic and educational settings. At the elementary level students are informed of the five gender orientations: male, female, gay, lesbian, and bisexual. Challengers are intimidated and silenced. Groups supporting traditional family values organize to oppose the gay takeover of educational institutions.

(3) The Professional Health Establishment - February 9, 2010

In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association, under duress from a homosexual faction in the group, voted to strike homosexuality from the list of psychiatric illnesses. Only one-third of the membership was involved in the decision. When the organization made it a violation for a psychiatrist to help a homosexual patient become heterosexual even at the patient's request, therapists who help homosexuals change and ex-homosexuals threatened to file a lawsuit.

Christian groups, including Exodus and Love Won Out organized to minister to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions.

(4) Politics of GRID-HIV/AIDS - February 13, 2010

HIV/AIDS was first recognized in the United States in 1981 when homosexual men were breaking out with a rare, ugly cancer, Kaposi's Sarcoma. This wasting disease was known then as GRID, "gay-related immune disorder". Unexpectedly the gay community's first priority was to protect the homosexual lifestyle as a normal and safe way of life. Homosexual activists moved to rename the disease to AIDS, "acquired immune deficiency syndrome", although gay related anal intercourse and promiscuity created and continues to preserve the American reservoir for HIV/AIDS. AIDS was politicized from the start.

(5) Safe Sex Becomes Seductive - February 19, 2010

Condoms are being distributed around the world as the solution to casual sexual behaviors in preventing pregnancies and STD's. However, the typical use failure rate of condoms is 14%, accounting for inconsistent and incorrect use as well as breakage and slippage. Life expectancy for gay and bisexual men is compromised by perhaps 20 years. Through 2007, the cumulative estimated deaths from AIDS in the United States was 562,793. Syphilis has reemerged as a public health threat because of male homosexuality. Anal cancer is a particular concern.

(6) Gays Confront the Media - March 1, 2010

Three years after the 1969 Stonewall Riots, representation on prime time TV became a symbolic target. Gays working in the TV industry were 'agents' who leaked information to activists about upcoming episodes in which gays were depicted negatively. Hostile and confrontational meetings ensued. Gay activists were invited by TV executives to comment on scripts dealing with homosexuality. In the 70's, more and more gay characters appeared on prime-time TV with the aim to educate the public to accept gay people and their lifestyles.

(7) Gay Demographics - March 7, 2010

Gays are estimated to exceed 18 million in the U.S. A large majority have disposable incomes above the national average with many holding professional positions in society. Marketing to the gay community has developed into a lucrative endeavor.

Gays are not randomly distributed. The 2000 Census reports that one-quarter of same-sex households were located in five urban areas: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Chicago.

(8) Gays in the Corporations - March 10, 2010

Corporations recognized that singles without family ties were able to dedicate time to their jobs and were free to travel around the country. Employee associations developed in corporate America to lobby for gay rights. By 1995, more than 60 American companies had lesbian, gay and bisexual employee groups; half of the Fortune 1000 companies had nondiscrimination policies that included sexual orientation.

When Pepsico and McDonald's became publicly and actively involved in pro-gay policies, opposing groups responded with boycotts.

(9) The Gay Agenda Battles the Military - March 14, 2010

Since 1917, American military law has outlined punishment for homosexual soldiers. In 1981 the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy stating that homosexuality is incompatible with military service. President Clinton unsuccessfully sought to overturn this policy, settling for "Don't ask, don't tell". President Obama campaigned on a commitment to end the ban against gays openly serving in the military. Although Congress has moved in this direction, powerful groups continue to oppose this social agenda.

(10) Gay Reproduction - March 20, 2010

Reproductive technologies present many questions about the future of social, ethical, and family practices. In 1982 the Sperm Bank of California provided sperm to unmarried and lesbian women. Commercial egg donations and surrogacy offered the possibility for a man to create a family. In the 1990's homosexual couples began to use surrogacy in what was labeled a 'gayby' boom.

Gay activists want society to adopt a flexible definition of marriage and family. Dr. David Blankenhorn, a family scholar and founder of the Institute for American Values, argues that the rights of children are put in jeopardy. The child's right to a natural biological heritage is denied to him or her.

(11) Gay Adoption - March 25, 2010

In 2007, 65,000 adopted children were being raised in the U.S. by same-sex partners or singles and 14,100 foster children were living with one or more gay or lesbian foster parents. States differ in their laws for single gays and lesbians and same-sex couples who seek to adopt.

Opponents argue that children suffer from not having both a mother and a father. The Catholic Church has been highly involved in adoption services. Changes in legislation which prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation jeopardizes the ability of the church to continue offering family services.

(12) Moving Toward Marriage - March 27, 2010

Gay men and lesbians in steady relationships are unable to marry and obtain the legal benefits of marriage. Activists campaign for the right to marry. In 1996 Congress adopted the federal Defense of Marriage Act, defining marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman.

When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the nation's sodomy laws in 2003, the highest court in Massachusetts ruled that same-sex marriage was permissible. A concern developed that courts would set social agendas. By 2008, 37 states had established their own Defense of Marriage Acts and 30 states had constitutional amendments protecting traditional marriage.

However, same-sex marriage was gaining acceptance. As of early 2010, 6 states and the District of Columbia allowed same-sex marriage, although no states had legalized gay marriage by referendum of the people.

(13) Gays Confront the Church - March 30, 2010

Scriptures from the Jewish Bible and the New Testament support husband/wife unions and condemn homosexual relationships. Gay activist groups challenged synagogues and churches to include homosexuals and allow them to participate without discrimination in church activities.

Fundamental groups held firm to scriptural guidance, while mainline churches, especially within the leadership of the denominations, were moving toward inclusion. Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act would make it illegal to hire or fire persons based on sexual orientation. Religious liberties of organizations and individuals would be threatened and put in jeopardy.

(14) Politics and Beyond - April 6, 2010

Gays are becoming increasingly more visible. The Power 50: The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America were outed on the Out.com website. The five first choices are listed as: David Giffen, a Hollywood billionaire; Anderson Cooper, anchor of CNN News; Ellen DeGeneres, talk show host; Tim Gill, the country's biggest gay political donor, and Barney Frank, Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts. Throughout his campaign, President Obama made it clear that he supported the homosexual 'civil rights' movement.

(15) The Consequences - April 9, 2010

The normalization of homosexuality in society will bring about profound changes in social organization, particularly in regard to social integration, reproduction, health and the intergenerational transfer of cultural values.

Heterosexual family forms have been protected through centuries of civilizations and in virtually all societies. Normalizing same-sex marriage would subsidize reproductive technologies and endorse the idea that a child does not really need a mother and a father. Religious values of many Americans in regard to appropriate sexual relationships would no longer be legally accepted, leading to state imposed restrictions on religious freedoms.

(16) Equal Persons, Equal Ideas, Equal Behaviors? - May 31, 2010

Our patriotic 'faith' statement that all are created equal is not a statement of fact but a statement of 'faith' in the spiritual and eternal worth of each striving soul. Our 'right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' does not include the right to confront the well being of the larger social good. Equality of persons cannot be equated to the concept that all ideas or behaviors are created equal. We are now being told that ideas and behaviors held by a minority must be considered equal to ideas and values that have been cherished and protected by the majority of people.

Responsible debate and consideration of behavioral and social consequences are the best way to ensure well being for the larger good and the protection and support for all citizens.

Reference:

1. Parrillo, Vincent N. Contemporary Social Problems. Boston:Allyn and Bacon Pub. 1999:6.