Bem offers as proof the fact that two-thirds of gay men did not enjoy activities typical of their own gender. The Interactionists explore how children learn behavior and how they come to identify themselves as gay or straight. Homosexuality is a kind of master status applied to gays by others. Interactionists identify three stages in the process of accepting the identity of gay. According to the functionalists, social norms exist to preserve social institutions and maintain stability in society.
Homosexuality violates theses norms .
According to functionalist marriage and family are necessary for the continuation of society . In the extreme, if homosexuality were to become a norm, the production of offspring would be threatened . This is a justification for the resistance of allowing homosexual marriage. D. Conflict Perspective Critics of the functionalist argue that it supports the status quo at the expense of exploring new definitions of family and marriage. If for example, we define marriage as the decision of two people to live together in a partnership, the the issue of having children is mute.