Abstract
Since the United States Supreme Court overturned state sodomy statutes in its 2003 decision, Lawrence and Garner v. Texas, religious and political conservatives in America have feared that the decision could pave the way for legalization of same-sex marriage. No longer able to rely on the illegality of same-sex relationships to deny the legal protections of marriage to those relationships, conservatives have had to rely on broader discourses from which to argue against same-sex marriage. One particularly powerful discourse claims that marriage must be confined to heterosexual relationships in order to protect children. This paper explores the various discourses surrounding heterosexual marriage and families that are commonly employed in the ongoing debates about same-sex marriage in America today. First, the paper explores the ways in which psychoanalysis requires heterosexuality to articulate a theory of childhood development, comparing the dynamics of psychoanalytic discourse in both France and America. Second, the paper critiques common Christian theological claims of marriage, focusing on the theology and ethics of Karl Barth. Having explored psychological and theological claims, the paper ends by pointing to progressive Christian communities as sites from which alternative theologies and rituals are developing that illumine broader expressions of family.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.