Perception Towards Same-Sex Marriage of SHS Students in Silway-8 NHS

Janna Leah L. Gales

Angelyn Nielo
Trisha Mae Eulalio
Edelyn Bitos
Laiza Mae Vildosola

Silway-8 National High School

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The aim of this paper is to map out at a discourse level the personal opinions of
Senior High School Students in Silway-8 NHS about the controversial topic, Same-Sex
Marriage. When it comes to marriage, things can be risky. Marriage is one of the
toughest decision a somebody can put herself or himself through, yet it is the most
gratifying and fulfilling. It indicates that they can become two powerful individuals in
unison, being delighted by doing everything together.

Same-sex marriage have been a huge debate and spark heated controversy
among Filipinos. The subject of same-sex weddings has come up in a variety of forms
such as during the political debates, presidential and senatorial debates, big or small
debate platforms, states making it legal for same-sex couples to marry, and people
expressing their opinions on why LGBTQI+ members should or should not be
permitted to marry. However, in this research paper we’ll focus more on the ideas and
opinions of SHS students of Silway-8 NHS.

Homosexuals are becoming more prominent day by day. On top of that, same
sex marriage is also gaining traction throughout the world. One of the most influential
poets in twentieth century, Dr. Seuss stated "Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." This is also
something for the LGBTQI+ community to experience with the corresponding rights,
benefits, and responsibilities similar to those who are legally married heterosexual
couples. On the contrary, the Catholic Church's position on same-sex marriage is
diametrically opposed to the statement above. From the beginning, the church has
held that homosexuality is wrong and shall not be tolerated. According to Leviticus
18:22, “A man shall not lie with another man like he would a woman.” This shows that
homosexuality was frowned even before church existed.
Equality entails providing the same options to all people, regardless of gender.
As such, we'll try to find out what SHS students in Silway-8 NHS think about same-sex
marriage; whether they agree or disagree. Furthermore, it will reflect why same-sex
marriage is important to the LGBTQI+ community and why it is considered as
disobedience and a form of sin in the Catholic Church.

1.2 BACKGROUND

Same-sex marriage is between partners of the same-sex and or gender opting

to marry each other. By way of illustration, a marriage between two men or two women.
In 2003, Massachusetts became the first state in the United States to legalize same-
sex marriage, paving the way too to many other states in the United States to
legalize same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage became a major national issue
almost overnight, pitting religious and social conservatives against gay rights advocates
and their allies. The ensuing battle over gay marriage could be heard in the halls of the
US Congress, dozens of state legislatures, and the rhetoric of national and state
election campaigns over the next year.

Every time defenders of traditional marriage speak out in public; they lose the
support of neutral third parties. The problem is that they are attempting to tell people
how they should live their lives and are doing so through the use of state power. Their
justification is far from compelling. They discuss the need for procreation in marriage,
but many heterosexual married couples use contraceptives. They talk about the risk to
parenting when there is no evidence that suggest that gay and lesbians couples are
worse parents. Furthermore, they are being compared to dysfunctional couples in
traditional marriages of single parents with limited financial resources. To summarize,
it is critical for the state to delve deeper into the information they should disseminate
and conclude; the advantages and disadvantages, the benefits and drawbacks.

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

 Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the union of two people
who are of the same gender. Thus, the purpose of this study is to ascertain the
various perspectives of SHS students in Silway-8 NHS on the significance or
insignificance of same-sex marriage. Its specific goal is to provide answers to the
following questions:

1. What exactly is same-sex marriage?

2. Why should or should not homosexual marriage be legalized?
3. Why same-sex marriage important?
4. Is there a difference between homosexual and heterosexual marriages?

1.4 SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study focuses on SHS students' perceptions of same-sex marriage, and

their opinions on the contentious issue of whether or not same-sex couples should be
allowed to marry. The primary targets will be Silway-8 National High School’s Senior
High Students who are currently residing in Barangay Silway-8 Polomolok, South
Cotabato. The research will be carried out during the school year 2021-2022.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

 The finding of this study may enlighten people, particularly students, Filipinos,
and the government, about how same-sex marriage affects or does not affect the
community and the state where the issues are prevalent. This study will also reflect the
idea of respecting their choice of what they want to be. The idea of gender equality at
all cost. The research will also dig deeper into the significant and specific effects of
legalizing same-sex or homosexual marriage.

To the students, the result may serve as an eye-opener to blind students that,
same-sex marriage does not affect someone's living at all. This may also serve as an
inspiration for them that whatever race you are with, heterosexuality or homosexuality,
you are worth the respect and worth the equality rule. Inclusion positively affects well-
being, the LGBTQI+ community being supported socially and feeling accepted.

To the Filipinos, the result may serve as an enlightenment that discrimination

against homosexual people will only make their relationship worse. It does not appear
to have any effect on the good will. Accepting same-sex and the LGBTQI+ members to
the community boosts positivity. Unions go beyond love; it embodies the concept
of equality.

To the government, the result may serve as an eye-opener that same-sex

marriages do not only entail negativity. This will demonstrate to the government that
positivity is never equal to the negativity. Like for example, same-sex marriage
embodies equal benefits. Economic gain boosts productivity and labor mobility. The
number of successful adoptions rises as a result and other innumerous hidden benefits.