Marriage is a human right: Different attitudes displayed by older and younger generations towards same

sex marriage in Australia

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Submitted as KHA207 Social Psychology Research Proposal

Due Date: 26th September 2016, 4:00pm

Tutor: Dr. Benjamin Schz

Class: Monday, 11am 1pm

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Abstract

Equality is making sure that every single individual is to be treated fairly and equally

regardless of their status, race, gender, religious, belief, age and their sexual orientation. This

goes for marriage. Based on the principle of equality, same sex marriage should be available

without discrimination to all couples irrespective of their gender identity or sexual

orientation. This study will be focusing on the different attitudes and act shown by older and

younger generations towards same sex marriage. The aim for this present study is to compare

the attitude of older and younger generation regarding same sex marriage and is there any

other relations that causes these generations to have different views of same sex marriage; for

example gender or religion. It is to be hypnotize that older generation have higher negative

attitude than younger generations towards same sex marriage. This research also will focus

on whether gender and religion contribute to different views of same sex marriage. If the

hypothesis is satisfied, the result can contribute on ways to reduces negative attitude towards

same sex marriage along with their negative act towards homosexual people.
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Earlier research on attitudes towards same sex marriage indicate that older generation tend to

be more negative than younger generation towards same sex couples. Research also found

that sociological and economic status also have impact towards individual attitudes towards

same sex couples. Younger and educated generation with high economic status tend to have

positive attitude towards same sex couples compared to older generations (Moskowitz,

Rieger, & Roloff, 2010; Vecho, Poteat & Schneider, 2016). Other than that, research have

shown that single heterosexuals are more supportive compared to those who are married

(Brumbaugh, Sanches, Nock, & Wright, 2008; Jakobsson, Kotsadam, & Jakobsson, 2013).

Same sex marriage for homosexual had cause an uproar in the society that question

the traditional meaning of marriage i.e. marriage between a man and a woman (Herdt &

Kertzner, 2006). Same sex couples around the world live in society that stigmatizes their

relationship as unnatural or unhealthy. This stigmatization had led to systematic

discrimination towards this same sex couples as most of same sex couples and families in

Australia are denied basic legal rights such as marriage and other entitlements which couples

of the opposite sex do (Herdt & Kertzner, 2006).

Laws affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) very by countries. To

date, sixteen countries, had recognize same sex marriage and grant most of rights same as

other heterosexual individual (Vecho, Poteat & Schneider, 2016). This countries protect

LGBT rights from discrimination.

In Australia, under the federal law, same sex couples are entitled for legal recognition

of their relationship (Relationships Act 2003, Act11 (1)). The implementations of

Relationships Act, had given the same sex couples equal legal rights as other heterosexual

couples. However, this act does not give same sex couples the rights to marry in Australia and

marriage conducted in other jurisdiction are not legally recognized in Australia (Marriage
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Act 1961, s88EA). Furthermore, the rights for same sex marriage are not only unrecognizable

in Australia but also most part of the world.

This kind of systematic discrimination indicate that society still stigmatizes same sex

couple. Society believe that same sex marriage causes sexual promiscuity. Such society belief

in traditional marriage and gender roles which men are the main source of household income

whereas woman are the housewife (Pinsof & Haselton, 2016; Pearl & Galupo, 2007).

Systematic discrimination can be defined as a framework of practice or policies

surrounded by certain body that create disadvantages for certain group or individuals (Sepper,

2014). This sort of discrimination damagingly impact the society thru the devolvement of

oppressive system in which certain groups or individuals will be treated unfairly which can

result to aggression and other problems that will affect the community as a whole (Sepper,

2014). Examples of systematic discrimination include recognition of same sex marriage as

the legalization create disadvantage towards homosexual couples as most countries does not

recognize same sex marriage. Due to this disadvantages society treated same sex couples as

an epidemic that they need to avoid.

Previously, Pearl & Galupo (2007) have complete a research on attitude toward same

sex marriage. Throughout their research, 615 self-proclaim heterosexual men and women;

were randomly pick from both student and non-student around Towson, Maryland, United

States. All participants were required to complete both Attitudes Toward Same-Sex

Marriage Scale (ATSM) (Pearl & Galupo, 2007) and Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay

Men Scale (ATLG-S) (Herek, 1988) together with some basic demographic questions.

Through their study, it was found that men have higher negative attitudes than woman toward

same sex marriage and towards lesbians and gays. This outcomes had led Pearl & Galupo

(2007) to conclude that gender does play a role on how negative an individual attitude be

towards same sex marriage.

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Another study relevant study regarding attitudes toward homosexuality is a study

done by by Barringer, Gay & Lynxwiller (2013). Throughout their study, it was found that

age, religiously and gender does have an impact on individual attitude against same sex

marriage. Their outcome are almost similar to Pearl & Galupo (2007) studies.

The aim for this present study is to study whether age will affect individuals views on

same sex marriage. The idea of this study is derive from Pearl & Galupo (2007) and

Barringer, Gay & Lynxwiller (2013) studies which has been mentioned above. This present

study will further examine is there any other relations that causes older and younger

generations to have different views of same sex marriage; for example gender or religion. The

purpose of this studies is to find ways to reduces negative attitude towards same sex marriage

along with their negative act towards homosexual people. It is hypnotized that older

generation have higher negative attitude than younger generations towards same sex

marriage.

Methods

Participants

This present study inclines to recruit participants from both student and nonstudent

populations between the age of 18 to 60 years old across Tasmania, Australia. The

participants will undergo a 12 items of Likert-scale of ATSM to measure participants attitude

concerning same sex marriage. There is age restriction on age require in order for them to

participate in this study. Participants must be above 18 years old and below 60 years old.

Designs

This study will be conducted through a within group subject design and the results will be run

through an independent sample t-tests were conducted to determine whether age, gender,
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education level, socioeconomic factors and religion differed in their attitudes towards same

sex marriage.

Materials and Procedure

Participants who participate in this study were self-proclaim heterosexual men and women.

Participants were required to complete Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ATSM)

together with basic demographic question through an online portal. The survey was entirely

anonymous and were done over a secure server that have been set up. Participant were allow

to contact the researcher upon completing the survey through email for any questions

regarding the research. Participants were all treated in accordance with the ethical standards

of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2010). ATSM were used to measured

participants attitudes toward same sex marriage. This attitude scale measurement were

develop by Pearl & Galupo in their 2007 studies. The survey comprised of 12 item that

address matters regarding same sex marriage. Participants were given approximately 30

minutes to complete the online questionnaire that require participants to indicated to what

extent they agreed or disagree over a five point Likert-scale (1 = Strongly Disagree; 5 =

Strongly Agree). Probable scores ranged from 12 (being highly negative attitudes) to 60

(being highly positive attitudes).

Expected Result

The expected result to be obtain after this studies have been completed is that the

researcher will be able to understand in details whether age, sex, marital status, religion and

education level have an impact towards individual attitude against same sex marriage. These

outcome will help future studies in this area develop more variable of Attitudes Toward

Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ATSM) so that individual attitude toward same sex marriage can

be measure accurately. In particular, if these present research manage to support the all the
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hypotheses provided, it will help contribute on ways to reduces negative attitude towards

same sex marriage along with their negative act towards homosexual people.

Discussion

The primary propose of this research proposal is to examine whether age and other

factor that will affect an individual attitude towards same sex marriage. Previous study by

Pearl & Galupo (2007) and Barringer, Gay & Lynxwiller (2013) shown that men have more

negative attitude that women toward same sex marriage and homosexual individuals. Another

findings by both studies is that self-proclaimed as religious men and women display more

negative attitude than those who are not religious. Other than that, age also played an

important role; whereby younger both men and women are more openly accept same sex

marriage than older men and women.

The proposed research will afford an understanding of how sex, age, religion, marital

status and educations level have an effect to individual attitudes towards same sex marriage.

Most importantly, if the hypothesis of this study is supported; it will provide guidelines on

ways to reduces negative attitude towards same sex marriage along with their negative act

towards homosexual people. Besides, same sex marriage should be available without

discrimination to all couples irrespective of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

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Appendix A

Basic Demographical Question

1. Gender: Male / Female

2. Age: ____________________________

3. Marital Status: Single / Married / Divorce

4. Religion: Christian / Islam / Hindu / Buddhism / Others

5. Highest Educational Level: Below Year 10 / Year 11 and 10 / Year 12 /

Certificate / Advance Diploma or Diploma / Bachelor Degree / Post Graduate

6. Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual / Homosexual / Bisexual

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Appendix B

12 items of Likert-scale of Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage Scale (ATSM)

1. Same sex marriage demoralizes the meaning of the traditional family.

2. Two loving homosexual couple can offer the same quality of parenting and
guidance as normal heterosexual couple.

3. Main purpose of marriage is to provide stability in relationship. Homosexual

couple should the same legal rights as heterosexual couple does.

4. Acknowledgment of same sex marriage poses a threat to society as the society

will be forced to acknowledge that homosexuality is normal.

5. Marital protections, such as social security and health care benefits, should be
available to same sex couple.

6. Same sex marriage will strengthen the morals of society by supporting equality.

7. I personally support individuals who are not heterosexual (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender) seeking marriage rights.

8. Traditional marriage between men and women naturally complement each other,
hence a union between two men or two women should not be recognized as
marriage.

9. Same sex marriage guarantees equal rights for all relationships regardless of
sexual orientation.

10. The legalization of same sex marriage will risk religious freedom.

11. Individuals should be free to enter into marriage with another same sex consenting
adult because God created all people and does not make mistakes.

12. I oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage.

Note: Response Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree; 2 = Somewhat Disagree; 3 = Neutral;

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4 = Somewhat Agree; 5 = Strongly Agree.

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References

American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of

conduct. American Psychologists.

Barringer, M. N., Gay, D. A., & Lynxwiler, J. P. (2013) Gender, Religiosity, Spirituality, and

Attitudes toward Homosexuality, Sociological Spectrum, 33(3), 240-257.

Brumbaugh, S. M., Sanches, L. A., Nock, S. L., & Wright, J. D. (2008). Attitudes toward gay

marriage in states undergoing marriage law transformation. Journal of Marriage &

the Family, 70, 345359

Herdt, G., & Kertzner, R. (2006). I Do, but I Cant: The Impact of Marriage Denial on the

Mental Health and Sexual Citizenship of Lesbians and Gay Men in the United States.

Journal of NSRC, 3(1), 33-49.

Herek, G. M. (1988). Heterosexuals attitudes toward lesbians and gay men: Correlates and

gender differences. Journal of Sex Research, 25(4), 451-477.

Jakobsson, N., Kotsadam, A., & Jakobsson, S. S. (2013) Attitudes Toward Same-Sex

Marriage: The Case of Scandinavia, Journal of Homosexuality, 60(9), 1349-1360

Marriage Act 1961

Moskowitz, D. A., Rieger, G., & Roloff M. E. (2010) Heterosexual Attitudes Toward Same-

Sex Marriage, Journal of Homosexuality, 57(2), 325-336

Pearl M. L., & Galupo M. P (2007) Development and Validation of the Attitudes Toward

Same-Sex Marriage Scale, Journal of Homosexuality, 53(3), 117-134.

Pinsof, D., & Haselton, M. (2016) The Political Divide Over Same-Sex Marriage: Mating

Strategies in Conflict?, Psychological Science, 1(8). doi:10.1177/0956797615621719

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Relationships Act 2003

Vecho, O., Poteat V. P., & Schneider, B. (2016) Adolescents' Attitudes Toward Same-Sex

Marriage and Adoption in France, Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 12(1), 24-45.