gay marriage will not have a significant toll on society

As my opponent has proposed no rules or arguments of his own, I will begin my arguments right off the bat. If Same-Sex Marriage (SSM) was to be legalized, there would actually be negative effects that would ensue. Children:The largest effect SSM will have is on the children . It is self-evident that if it were to be legal, gays would have a higher demand for children and would find ways to obtain them. If that were to happen, this would have a largely negative effect; for children, with their early development, need less openness about sexuality and both a man and a woman as parents [1]. With gay parents, we see the clear effects of children who do not have the correct development: Compared with children raised by their married biological parents (Heterosexual Mothers and Fathers), children of homosexual parents (Gay Mothers and Gay Fathers):-Are much more likely to have received welfare (IBF 17%; LM 69%; GF 57%)-Have lower educational attainment-Report less safety and security in their family of origin-Report more ongoing "negative impact" from their family of origin-Are more likely to suffer from depression-Have been arrested more often-If they are female, have had more sexual partners--both male and femaleChildren of lesbian mothers: -Are more likely to be currently cohabiting-Are almost 4 times more likely to be currently on public assistance-Are less likely to be currently employed full-time-Are more than 3 times more likely to be unemployed-Are nearly 4 times more likely to identify as something other than entirely heterosexual-Are 3 times as likely to have had an affair while married or cohabiting-Are an astonishing 10 times more likely to have been "touched sexually by a parent or other adult caregiver."-Are nearly 4 times as likely to have been "physically forced" to have sex against their will-Are more likely to have "attachment" problems related to the ability to depend on others-Use marijuana more frequently-Smoke more frequently-Watch TV for long periods more frequently-Have more often plead guilty to a non-minor offense -Children of lesbian mothers are 75% more likely, and children of homosexual fathers are 3 times more likely, to be currently in a same-sex romantic relationship [2]. -Children of lesbian mothers are 75% more likely, and children of homosexual fathers are, to be currently in a same-sex romantic relationship [2].In review, SSM marriage will lead to demand for kids by gays. Such effects of this homosexual parenting with have a sizable effect upon kids and our future society.Illegitimate ChildrenSSM legalization will increase the amount of illegitimate children born. Norway, for example, has had SSM since the early nineties. In Nordland, the most liberal county of Norway, out-of-wedlock births have soared—70 percent of all children, are born out of wedlock. Across all of Norway, illegitimacy rose from 39% to 50% in just the first decade of same-sex marriage. [3]Anthropologist Stanley Kurtz writes, “When we look at Nordland and Nord-Troendelag — the Vermont and Massachusetts of Norway — we are peering as far as we can into the future of marriage in a world where gay marriage is almost totally accepted. What we see is a place where marriage itself has almost totally disappeared.” He asserts that “Scandinavian gay marriage has driven home the message that marriage itself is outdated, and that virtually any family form, including out-of-wedlock parenthood, is acceptable.” [3].In terse words, illegitimacy will rise and affect the society in obvious, negative ways. Change of the Concept of Marriage:Despite what most people believe, marriage is not simply a state recognition of a relationship. Marriage is a concern of the state due to the fact that it has a special connection to children. Without marriage, society would struggle to continue on, for marriage is the place where kids can grow up and have the greatest opportunity to perform to their absolute best in their life endeavors. [4].Now, if SSM was to be legalised, less people would marry; thus, creating less children and harming society. Giving the option of SSM would tell society that marriage in general is "optional," not normative, and fewer people would marry. In turn, this would eliminate the incentive for procreation in man and female unions (For there are less of them). There is already evidence of at least a correlation between SSM legalization and low birth and fertility rates, both in the U.S. and abroad. While some people still harbor outdated fears about "over-population," demographers now understand that declining birth rates harm society. [5] Gay marriage could potentially lead down a "slippery slope” ending with giving people in polygamous, incestuous, bestial, and other non traditional relationships the right to marry. Glen Lavy, JD, senior counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, argued in a May Op-Ed, "The movement for polygamy and polyamory is poised to use the successes of same-sex couples as a springboard for further de-institutionalizing marriage." [6]Conclusion:There is a large amount of evidence that legalizing SSM will damage the development of children and their future life, cause more Illegitimate kids to be born and less kids to be born in stable marriages. All of these hurt children who will run our future society; thus, damaging society. Sources in comments.