CONTENT:
Similarities and Differences between Ferguson and Kandaswamy`s arguments about the politics of marriageSame sex marriages have become a controversial issue in the American society. According to Ferguson (2007), the support of same sex marriages undermines heterosexual families. On the other hand, if it is not allowed, it undermines the civil right of homosexuals. Kandaswamy (2008) delves on the specific benefits that the gay and lesbian activists seek to access through these unions. A close scrutiny of both writers reveals several similarities as well as differences about the politics of marriage.First and foremost is the fact that same sex marriage is opposed in both cases. Kandaswamy observes that same sex marriage has been met with vitriolic opposition from many of the very conservative of family values who support marriage in welfare policy (707). On her side, Ferguson says that the campaign to change state legal requirements of marriage to allow gays and lesbians to marry created the greatest controversy among all the public policy questions raised in the last U.S. presidential election (43)..Secondly from the above arguments it is clear that marriage in both cases is controlled by the state. Kandaswamy points out some state laws which control marriage relationships like the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) which is a federal block grant program designed to maximize state control over welfare eligibility and benefits. On the other hand Ferguson says that, although marriage should be the private institution that establishes kinship relations in the family and should be seen it as a contract chosen in the private arena, it is indeed regulated by the state. In addition, those who engage in same sex marriage a...