The institution of marriage is one that is enjoyed by many Americans. Not only does marriage affirm the commitment that two people have for one another, but it also opens the door to numerous benefits. When a couple weds, they are provided various tax breaks, as well as the ability to share health insurance, make medical decisions for one another, and name one another as beneficiaries for retirement and death benefits. These are only a few of the benefits that married couples enjoy. Though the image typically portrayed of the married couple has been that of a man and women, through laws and societal evolution, marriage has changed over time. Age is one factor that can influence one’s ability to get married. Though most states require …show more content…
Many of the civil rights decisions during the 1950’s and 1960’s had that exact effect, and they likely paved the way for future civil rights cases. Just as this case prevents discrimination of a minority group in its ability to marry, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas prevented discrimination of a minority group in its pursuit of equal education. According to Schwartz (2003) in 1954, “the Court reversed Plessy v. Ferguson and ordered the desegregation of public schools and other public facilities” (comptalk.fiu.edu). Furthermore, “in 1955, it amplified on the decision by ordering school desegregation to take place with all deliberate speed” (Schwartz, 2003, comptalk.fiu.edu). Many of the decisions during this period took a stand against hatred, discrimination, and inequality. Though bigotry was far from gone, these decisions helped to point America’s moral compass in a direction that would eventually embrace a much kinder, more accepting, and more unified society. In that way, the civil rights decisions of the 1950’s and 1960’s are quite similar to the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage in 2015. My hope is that we will continue to see broadening civil liberties in a society that embraces love and acceptance more and more every