If any subsection of focus pertains to civility most, its social issues.

Social issues cross

the lines of race, gender, and age. But often times, groups of race, gender, and age are
the very core of factions under the umbrella of social issues. Millennials show support
for the more liberal views and granting of more rights. The range of social issues cover
numerous topics, so this blog will be two parts.The first part will detail same-sex
marriage, gender rights, and marijuana. Here, Ill break it down..

Same Sex Marriage:

Same sex marriage has continued to gain salience in the past decade. Statistics show
the tangible increase of support for same-sex marriage as the years go by and
generations grow older. In fact, each new generation has supported same-sex marriage
more. In 2017, Pew Research discovered that 70% of Millennials are in favor of same-
sex marriage. There are a number of reasons for this increase in support. First, the
understanding of homosexuality. 44 years ago homosexuality was removed from the
DSM and no longer considered a mental illness. Once it was no longer considered a
curable disorder the views of being gay completely changed. Another cause of support
for same-sex marriage, is relevance. When you know someone has has come out as
gay, you are far more likely to be tolerant of this orientation. For example, Joe Biden
expressed his movement towards legalizing same-sex marriage before even Obama
when his daughter came out as gay. Lastly, Millennials continually show support for civil
liberties increasing. (To read more about this check out this article: Joe Bidens Words
on Gay Marriage). They agree with the Brown v. Board of Education rhetoric when it
comes to the separate but NOT equal argument of civil unions. The issue of same-sex
marriage has blurred lines of religion and politics. Those affiliated with a religion have
increased in their support for same-sex marriage. Statistics also show that the number
of conservative young people who believe in gay rights has recently doubled. The gap
in the divisive issue of same-sex marriage has continued to decrease throughout the
years, and Millennials are the forefront of the movement to make legislative changes.

Gender Rights:

Three waves of feminism since the Enlightenment prove how salient gender issues
have always been. While women earned the right to vote in 1920, there is still demand
for change. Gender no longer defines our roles in life, according to more than two-thirds
of Millennials. Furthermore, two-third of Millennials believe it easier for men to get
ahead, and two-thirds agree this needs to change. Kathleen Gerson, a professor of
sociology at New York University tells the Atlantic , If women are in the workplace to
stay, there is a sense women need an equal opportunity to earn a living and succeed,
and men need an equal opportunity to be caretakers and to find more balance so they
can all share in the private pursuits that may not have been available to them in the
past. This young generation believe that you CAN have it all, a family and a workplace.
They agree the work must be split between each parent, and are increasingly accepting
of women being the breadwinners of the family. In response to this, Millennials are
getting married later and having fewer children. And they demand equality. The
Womens march this past year on January 21 saw one million people get together in
Washington D.C to display their beliefs, and the specific call to Millennials to participate
was heard far and wide. They are looking at breaking social spheres, lengthening
maternity leave, and even granting men maternity leave. Equal pay and rights are the
defining matters of the current Gender issues, but this is a fluid issue that continues to
grow with Millennials.

Marijuana:
Marijuana use for both medicinal and recreational purposes has become increasingly
focused upon, especially with todays political and political parties formed just over this
issue. In 2006, around 34% of Millennials supported the legalization of marijuana. 8
years later in 2014, this number doubled to 69%.Young people are up around ten points
to the Generation Xs views on marijuana, and they favor a far more progressive focus
on drugs. Millennials overwhelmingly oppose the nanny state, specifically the
criminalization of drugs and particularly marijuana. Furthermore, they are highly against
the drug penalties of high fines and long-term imprisonment. Naturally the conservative
side of Millennials are less favorable towards the legalization of marijuana, but more
supportive of medicinal
marijuana than those before
them. In fact, the Millennial
generation is the first generation
to feature a conservative group
favorable towards legalizing
marijuana. After analyzing the
effects on those in Colorado
(and now California and D.C.),
where weed is legal, the
economic impacts and criminal
improvements have persuaded
those more hesitant towards the
legalization of marijuana to
oftentimes support. The future
for legalizing marijuana looks
bright and on the horizon.

Alman, Ashley. Majority Of

Republican Millennials Support
Marijuana Legalization. The
Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 28 Feb. 2015. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.

Chapter 2: Generations and Issues. Pew Research Centers Social & Demographic
Trends Project. N.p., 06 Mar. 2014. Web. 01 Mar. 2017.