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 African American Vernacular English by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The founding of the first colonies by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Candomblé and the Brazilian jeitinho by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The Strategy of Renault SA by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Intercultural differences of customer emotions in service encounters by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Symbiotic competitors - the nature of Sino-US relations by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Max Weber: Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Interpretation von drei Szenen aus dem Film 'The Aviator' mithilfe von Analysekategorien nach Goffmann by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Global Corporate Strategy - Honda Case Study by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Emily Dickinson's Death Poetry by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The Historical Development of 'Food Regimes' and Their Influence on the World's Economy by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Different visions of economic development. From Keynes to the Solow Growth, Harrod Domar Growth and the New Growth Model by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book Tonganische Migranten in den USA by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The Euro currency by Dagmar Mehrtens
Cover of the book The Kurile Island Conflict 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