The dynamics involved in marriage today are quite different from what society has traditionally held them to be.
Traditionally, we saw a man and a woman fall in love, get married and the start of a family.
While those traditional aspects of marriage are practiced by multitudes, the fact is that marriage is an often required prerequisite for being able to partake in the enjoyment of certain necessary resources in this society.
For instance, while fifty years ago a family could be supported by only one working spouse, today it is quite necessary for both spouses to work in order to support the family.
As we know, income taxes are deducted from our salaries and the higher tax rate is levied against people filing under single status. [1] In addition, in many cases, medical and retirement benefits may only extend to a spouse versus a common-law life-partner.
There are many examples detailing how important marriage is when it comes to obtaining and enjoying certain necessities in this society. Because of this fact, the society must look to incorporate today’s dynamics into the generation of public policy regarding same sex marriage.
While some may view and argue that same sex marriage is something which might fall outside of their perception of what is normal and acceptable, the fact remains that the U.S. Constitution provides equal protection under the law.
The Fourteenth Amendment does not make any distinction in terms of sex, or sexual preference. I agree that the ruling in Obergefell adequately moves us towards a more free and able society. [2]
[1] 2016 Federal Tax Rates, Personal Exemptions, and Standard Deductions, US Tax Center, https://www.irs.com/articles/2016-federal-tax-rates-personal-exemptions-and-standard-deductions (last visited Jul 16, 2017).
[2] Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2071, 576 U.S., 191 L. Ed. 2d 953 (2015).