Site MapHelpFeedbackSocial Policy
Social Policy



How Americans Feel About Gay Marriage

Policies regarding gay marriages have the power to specify which households legally qualify as families, and which do not. From Public Agenda Online (http://www.publicagenda.org) click on Issue Guides at the top of the page and then click on Gay Rights. Now click on Overview. Scroll down the page and read the section titled "partner and benefits."



1

Why do many Americans oppose granting recognition to same sex couples?
2

How do opponents of same-sex marriage want to settle the issue?

Now, click on Bills and Proposals and then click on "Americans are evenly divided on whether they favor legalizing civil unions for gay couples, but support has slightly increased in recent years."



3

What percent of Americans oppose civil unions among homosexuals?
4

How would you have responded to this poll?
5

Look at the bar graph. What explanation can you offer for the trend that has occurred since 2000?

Click your Back button and then click on "Americans are divided over whether they favor a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and more than half say each state should make its own laws."



6

What percent of Americans strongly oppose such an amendment?
7

How would you have responded to this poll? Why?







Schaefer, Sociology Brief, 6/eOnline Learning Center

Home > Chapter 12 > Social Policy