Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorFinchilescu, Gillianen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBrown, Fionaen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-12-27T14:12:38Z
dc.date.available2014-12-27T14:12:38Z
dc.date.issued2003en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 99-112).en_ZA
dc.description.abstractThis study is an exploration of the opinions of heterosexual law students (n=44) at the University of Cape Town on the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Three distinct perspectives are identified by means of Q methodology and are compared with respondents' scores on the short form of the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG-S). The three positions represent: a) unequivocal support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage founded on the principles of equality and human rights; b) strong religious and moral opposition to the legalisation of same-sex marriage; and c) support for the provision of domestic partnership (rather than marriage) for same-sex couples. Closer analysis reveals that each position comprises two discrete sets of responses views on the institution of marriage and responses to homosexuality - that interact in particular ways to inform respondents' opinions on same-sex marriage. In this sample, support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage is predicated on more positive attitudes toward homosexuality and openness to changing the institution of marriage. Opposition to same-sex marriage is founded on religious and conservative condemnation of homosexuaIity and fixed notions of the meaning of marriage. Advocates of domestic partnerships support the rights and well-being of homosexuals, but view marriage as a heterosexual institution that should remain closed to lesbian and gay couples. Based on the findings, it is argued that improving attitudes toward homosexuality would create more positive responses to the legal recognition of same-sex relationships but would not necessarily increase support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage. It is asserted that same-sex marriage is an important issue in the fight for lesbian and gay equality and, more significantly, one that could contribute to the mental health of lesbians and gay men.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationBrown, F. (2003). <i>Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10241en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationBrown, Fiona. <i>"Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10241en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBrown, F. 2003. Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Brown, Fiona AB - This study is an exploration of the opinions of heterosexual law students (n=44) at the University of Cape Town on the legalisation of same-sex marriage. Three distinct perspectives are identified by means of Q methodology and are compared with respondents' scores on the short form of the Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG-S). The three positions represent: a) unequivocal support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage founded on the principles of equality and human rights; b) strong religious and moral opposition to the legalisation of same-sex marriage; and c) support for the provision of domestic partnership (rather than marriage) for same-sex couples. Closer analysis reveals that each position comprises two discrete sets of responses views on the institution of marriage and responses to homosexuality - that interact in particular ways to inform respondents' opinions on same-sex marriage. In this sample, support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage is predicated on more positive attitudes toward homosexuality and openness to changing the institution of marriage. Opposition to same-sex marriage is founded on religious and conservative condemnation of homosexuaIity and fixed notions of the meaning of marriage. Advocates of domestic partnerships support the rights and well-being of homosexuals, but view marriage as a heterosexual institution that should remain closed to lesbian and gay couples. Based on the findings, it is argued that improving attitudes toward homosexuality would create more positive responses to the legal recognition of same-sex relationships but would not necessarily increase support for the legalisation of same-sex marriage. It is asserted that same-sex marriage is an important issue in the fight for lesbian and gay equality and, more significantly, one that could contribute to the mental health of lesbians and gay men. DA - 2003 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2003 T1 - Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage TI - Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10241 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/10241
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationBrown F. Something old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriage. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Humanities ,Department of Psychology, 2003 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10241en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Psychologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Humanitiesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherClinical Psychologyen_ZA
dc.titleSomething old, something new : heterosexual students' opinions on same-sex marriageen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMSocScen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hum_2003_brown_f.pdf
Size:
6.9 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters