Sexy Families for Sexy Citizens?

The (non)recognition of same-sex families in the human rights discourse


Cover of the book Sexy Families for Sexy Citizens? by Dagmar Mehrtens, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Dagmar Mehrtens ISBN: 9783640949090
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: July 4, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Dagmar Mehrtens
ISBN: 9783640949090
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: July 4, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Master's Thesis from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Public International Law and Human Rights, grade: 9,0, University of Lisbon (Faculty of Law Ius Gentium, University of Coimbra), course: European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation, language: English, abstract: Over recent years, sexual minorities have growingly gained attention in the human rights discourse. This attention focuses on the de-criminalisation and anti-discrimination of lesbians, gays and others. However, states and human rights instruments remain unwilling to view those belonging to these newly established minorities in their complexity as social individuals and citizens. This makes it very difficult for sexual minorities to do things considered quite 'normal' and essential for others, such as living a family life and raising children. Raising the topic of same-sex families within a human rights discourse remains highly controversial. 'Family,' however, is more than a benevolent luxurious minority topic in modern welfare states. The human family constitutes the foundation of the human rights regime and as such is a fundamental cross-sectional institution and mechanism within liberal-democratic societies. Denying lesbians and gays the moral capacity of taking responsibility for partners and children, assigns them an inferior second-class status in society. Framing this distinction with categorical justifications by according them a special minority status, only supports hierarchical distinctions. It needs to be questioned, whether a specific heteronormative life-long man-wife conception of partnership can serve as the (universal) standard for marriage, family and the conception of a 'good citizen' and fully recognised member of society or whether it is not this concept of 'normality' that needs to be questioned rather than the assumed specificities of excluded 'others.'

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Master's Thesis from the year 2004 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Public International Law and Human Rights, grade: 9,0, University of Lisbon (Faculty of Law Ius Gentium, University of Coimbra), course: European Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation, language: English, abstract: Over recent years, sexual minorities have growingly gained attention in the human rights discourse. This attention focuses on the de-criminalisation and anti-discrimination of lesbians, gays and others. However, states and human rights instruments remain unwilling to view those belonging to these newly established minorities in their complexity as social individuals and citizens. This makes it very difficult for sexual minorities to do things considered quite 'normal' and essential for others, such as living a family life and raising children. Raising the topic of same-sex families within a human rights discourse remains highly controversial. 'Family,' however, is more than a benevolent luxurious minority topic in modern welfare states. The human family constitutes the foundation of the human rights regime and as such is a fundamental cross-sectional institution and mechanism within liberal-democratic societies. Denying lesbians and gays the moral capacity of taking responsibility for partners and children, assigns them an inferior second-class status in society. Framing this distinction with categorical justifications by according them a special minority status, only supports hierarchical distinctions. It needs to be questioned, whether a specific heteronormative life-long man-wife conception of partnership can serve as the (universal) standard for marriage, family and the conception of a 'good citizen' and fully recognised member of society or whether it is not this concept of 'normality' that needs to be questioned rather than the assumed specificities of excluded 'others.'

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book The Impact of Technology on Marketing Strategy by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Keith Rupert Murdoch by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book To what extent does Europeanization affect national political parties? by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Different Readings of Sir Thomas More's Utopia - from an Ideal state to the First Dystopia by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The transfer of training into the work environment - a socio-cultural approach by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Counterinsurgency Vignettes by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Campaigning in America Today: The Role of Campaigns in U.S. Presidential Elections by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Towards a web coverage service for efficient multidimensional information retrieval by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Die Entwicklung der Profession der Sozialen Arbeit unter dem Einfluss von Frauenbewegung und Judenemanzipation by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Body Search and Physical Examination of the Accused, the Privilege against Self-Incrimination and the Consequences of Illegally Obtained Evidence in German Criminal Law by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Music festivals with a closer look on Wiesen by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Ardis, its Ardors and Ideologies - Measuring Vladimir Nabokov against Hélène Cixous by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Analysis of the biotechnological market of Russia to find a market entry strategy for BASF Plant Science by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The analysis of scientific disciplines and their development using a Social Network Analysis Tool by Dagmar Mehrtens
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy