Sociological Imagination and Same-Sex Marriage in Australia

This assignment explores the concept of the sociological imagination and its application to the contemporary issue of same-sex marriage in Australia. It analyzes the arguments and counter-arguments presented by various stakeholders, highlighting the influence of societal norms, generational differences, and religious beliefs on public opinion. The assignment also delves into the complexities of discrimination and prejudice faced by LGBTQ+ individuals within the context of this debate.

CRIMINOLOGY: THEORY
AND PRACTICE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
How relevant is the sociological imagination for understanding contemporary Australian
society?........................................................................................................................................1

How relevant is the sociological imagination for understanding contemporary Australian society?
Sociological imagination: Mills described sociological imagination as the vivid
awareness of relationship that takes place between the experience and wider society. Hence, it
implies for the ability in relation to see things from the social perspective and identify the
manner in which they interact and affected from each other (Sociological Imagination, 2017).
From assessment, it has identified that gay or same sex marriage has minimal impact on the
nation’s marriage culture. On the other side, some advocates or argued that present that gay
marriage will alter central or social institution to a great extent. It is in context to a current social
issue in Australia where same sex marriages are becoming a common aspect of the people
residing over there. It is mainly with reference to Gay marriages that are continually taking place
in Australia has became a vital concern for several people. Although, the contemporary trend of
Australia has depicted a modernised society with people positively accepting such recent
considerations (Veith, 2011). On the basis of sociological perspective of people, they will decide
accepting this fact in a definite manner. The below report has together discoursed upon such
sociological aspects of Australian people where it is based upon the discussion of a selected issue
of same sex marriages or gay marriages as a matter of social concern. This is however referred to
be a cultural choice where it is speciously declared as an issue as a way of dominating on the
non-elites.
Sociological imagination plays an important role in accepting the trend of gay marriages
in Australia where it defines the social and cultural beliefs of people required to accept this fact.
As a result, to which, same sex marriages have become a huge matter of social concern where a
large set of people are not in favour of it. Some of the people said that same sex marriages place
negative impact on culture as well as social institution. This in turn depicts their distinct societal
norms where at present, from a sociological outlook the dominance of the campaign for same sex
marriages has provided a captivating tale about the dynamics of those cultural disputes that are
taking place in the Western society (Wright, 1979). By taking into account such aspect, it can be
stated that gay marriages have become a vital issue that places negative impact on cultural
aspects. This in turn can be seen to challenge the currently dominating norms by accusing those
who are not in support of it. It in turn is reflecting a rigorous need transformation in the legal
norms as a principal goal. This is basically to rectify the people who are contributing full support
1

to their followers with ethical dominance to downgrade the rivals with support of moral humility,
which is of utmost concern.
Considering the above situation, it not only indicates a strong claim for people’s right but
together demands for the institutionalization of such new ethical and social values. This stance
was evidently uttered by the chairman of Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission
named Trevor Phillips. Herein, the problem behind the disagreement was to ultimately blame
Christians, mainly the evangelicals who were stated to be more disturbing than Muslims. It is
basically on considering their distinct set of attitudes towards the conventional opinions. He
specific cautioned that the older faith is duly mismatched with the beliefs of a modern society
(Kite and Bryant-Lees, 2016). It is therefore with a major role of Christians where they are
attempting to bang with the conventional set of ideas with a special context of gay issues.
Although, the term mainstream logically meant his own sanctioned thoughts. Use of such
language has clearly indicated about the opponents of same sex marriages where they are
apparently driven by the conventional norms of the society. For which, they are totally
incompatible with that to the modern outlook of today’s contemporary society where in
accordance to it, the disapproval towards the morale status of gay marriages is disrespecting the
socio- cultural values of modern community.
This in turn has depicted an unintentional assertion of dual standard where there is an
acceptance towards the followers of same sex marriages with a sense of partiality towards those
who are not in support of it. The statement that certain standards and attitudes are mismatched
with that to the modern society serves as an introduction towards defaming and trying to silence
it. Further, from assessment, it has identified that usually people of old age are prone of
prejudices so they criticize the changes take place in the cultural aspects (Gerstmann, 2017). In
Australia, the status of same sex marriage is often portrayed as not only a linguistic mien of
incongruity but also as a direct form of discernment. By summing up this report, it has been
articulated that same sex marriage in Australia as a current social issue. It can be seen in the
report that there is a debate between the people in relation to the same sex marriage. It can be
stated from the evaluation that some people are in support of same sex marriage, whereas others
are not. Consequently, after which, a mere visage of opposition has been found towards a
specific ritual is not reorganized as an oral declaration but as a discriminatory act supported by
coercion.
2

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Gerstmann, E., 2017. Same-sex Marriage and the Constitution. Cambridge University Press.
Kite, M.E. and Bryant-Lees, K.B., 2016. Historical and contemporary attitudes toward
homosexuality. Teaching of Psychology. 43(2). pp.164-170.
Wright, C. R., 1979. Sociology of Mass Communications. Annual Review of Sociology. 5. 193-
217.
Online
Veith, G., 2011. The sociology of the gay marriage debate. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2011/06/the-sociology-of-the-gay-marriage-
debate/>.
Sociological Imagination. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.thoughtco.com/sociological-imagination-3026756 >.
3