We've received a few emails, letters and phone calls at The Area News from residents wanting to chip in on the same-sex marriage debate over the past few weeks.
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One of the arguments rearing its head most regularly is the traditional progression of a healthy marriage towards producing children.
A husband and wife, two kids and the family pet, all on a quarter-acre block on a quiet street.
Unfortunately for those hinging their arguments on tradition, the ‘normal’ Australians’ aspirations are different now, compared to any other time in our country’s short history.
They’re evolving, like everything in life.
It’s a trend seen in most parts of the western world, resulting in most birthing rates hitting record lows.
Australia sits just beyond the minimum average of the two-children each couple needs to produce in order to maintain some sort of population growth.
How will gay marriage offer equality AND fix the population problem?
If the logical step after marriage is still indeed a trend of raising children, then let's give the 10 per cent of consenting adults legally restricted from marriage a go.
Foster rates and adoption rates are at alarming lows, and without families to offer homes, kids are falling through the gaps.
Sure, there aren’t any extra kids coming into the world, but there could be far more children entering adulthood with a solid and loving upbringing, and a greater capacity to become regular hard-working contributors.
It’s just one example of how a stance on an issue can be intertwined with other resulting or countering problems.
To let biological birthing abilities and traditional upbringings exclusively determine an opinion on the issue is narrow minded.
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Most issues are complicated, and pros and cons from all perspectives play a role in influencing a point-of-view.
Unfortunately, one side of the plebiscite opinion will suffer a resounding loss, because negotiating and compromising an outcome for same-sex marriage is impossible.
It’s a yes or a no.