Government and Marriage
Instructions: Compose a brief essay of at least 400 words but no more than 600 words (not including your references list) on the following topic, referring to and critiquing relevant ideas from at least three of the Week 6 readings as you develop your thoughts:
What interests, if any, do you believe the state—that is, the government (on all levels)—should have in promoting marriage? Why?
Write in Arial font, size 14 Reference specific ideas from at least three of the assigned readings that illustrate these values. Always name the author whose ideas you are discussing (use the author’s full name the first time you refer to him/her; after that, identify authors by their last names). Answer the essay question with at least 3 of the references
ALSO PLEASE GIVE YOUR OWN OPINIONS AND IDEAS IN THE ESSAY.
Provide in-text citations for all ideas, opinions, and facts derived from the course readings, whether you simply refer to them, paraphrase them (put them entirely into your own words), or quote them. Place the in-text citation at the end of your sentence but before the period that ends your sentence. The in-text citation should give the author’s last name (unless you’ve used it already in your sentence), the year of publication (if known), and the appropriate page number(s) from the reading (if page numbers are used in the online text of the essay). Do not use the title of the reading unless it does not have an author).
Solution.
Government and Marriage
I believe that the state has some interests in promoting marriage. In the first place, the government has a vested interest in supporting all relationships that propagate the human species within an environment most conducive to wellbeing and health. This environment is the freely chosen, loving and lifelong union of one man and one woman. Furthermore, children have the right to be conceived, cared for and raised in the loving union of a husband and wife, something that has been made quite apparent by studies and also simple observation. Studies have shown that children raised in single-parent households undergo more adverse and psychological effects as compared to those raised by both parents.
Secondly, the state has an interest in promoting marriage due to public health reasons. Studies have demonstrated that the rate of sexually transmitted diseases within monogamous married couples pales in comparison to the rates of STDs in heterosexual, multi-partner and homosexual relationships (Strong, DeVault, & Cohen, 2011, p. 211). Therefore, not only will the promotion of marriage reduce such STD rates, but it will also reduce the psychological and emotional trauma associated with such illness. Therefore, the state has an interest in facilitating the enhanced happiness and productivity of its citizens since this will promote the general good.
By creating a legal concept of marriage and actively promoting it, there is also created the legal concept of divorce. There is value in households – there are financial relationships within families while there are also legal obligations to the children within the families. The positive benefit of this is that children will be legally protected and thus, benefit society. The government also has a financial interest in promoting marriage since, for instance, the married couple will be able to provide for each other, hence, should the need arise, the government will not have to do so (Wardle, Strasser, Duncan, & Coolidge, 2003).
Therefore, by registering a marriage with the government, a legal entity is created for estate ownership, child case, and tax. Therefore, in essence, married people pose less of a burden to the state. They not only live longer and support each other in hardship and old age but are also less likely to be criminal and more likely to be financially secure (Xiao, 2008, p. 338). In a way, therefore, married people will be easier to handle and control, and will also have children who will grow up to eventually work and pay taxes.
References
Strong, B., DeVault, C., & Cohen, T. F. (2011). The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society (11th ed.). New York: Cengage Learning.
Wardle, L. D., Strasser, M., Duncan, W. C., & Coolidge, D. O. (2003). Marriage and Same-sex Unions: A Debate. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers.
Xiao, J. J. (2008). Handbook of Consumer Finance Research. New York: Springer.