Summary of "Who's More Worthy?"

The article by Jonathan Rauch called "Who's More Worthy?" is about same-sex marriage. The author's main idea/thesis is Kurtz gets four things wrong, and they are the misanalyzation of marriage, misunderstanding homosexuality, sitting crosswire with liberalism, and traducing federalism. It introduces the two main people, Kurtz and Rauch, who is the homosexual writer of "Who's More Worthy" and their debate on same-sex marriage.

In Rauch's first proposition, he explains Kurtz and his misanalyzation of marriage. Kurtz says marriage is all about the "underlying dynamic of male-female sexuality", which he is basically stating marriage is, and must be between a man and a woman. Rauch believes marriage is about commitment to care for one another. Rauch goes on to say that marriages can thrive long after the passion is gone, with or without children, and even without sex. Caring for each other is the main point of a marriage, and is what makes it last so long. Rauch states that 50 years of marriage is 50 years of devotion, and is a noble thing to achieve because it shows your care for them in all the good and bad times. Rauch goes on to explain examples of married couples he knows personally and how they view themselves as equal partners. Lifelong caring is the main point and belief when it comes to Rauch and his views on marriage, no matter the circumstances.

In Rauch's second proposition, he explains Kurtz and his misunderstanding of homosexuality. Kurtz has a belief that same-sex couples, mainly males, won't act married. If they don't act married, society will not recognize their marriage and this makes Kurtz see same-sex marriage as a hollow shell. Rauch believes in a world in which straight and gay people can both seek to marry, and should be able to choose, no matter the sex, who they marry. Going on to give possible statistics of marriage, Rauch states that gay men probably represent 3% of the population. A homosexual's partner is not just a sex figure since they can not reproduce, but their companion, soul mate, and their love. If same-sex marriage is legalized, Rauch does not expect there will be an outburst to get married right away, instead he believes it is something that would happen over time. If it's legalized, Rauch believes homosexuals will grow into a generation where they know they will be accepted no matter what sex they choose to marry. Rauch says he knows many homosexuals who love and care each other, and that in the end homosexuals are more faithful to one another than heterosexuals. Kurtz has a strong belief of the "dynamic of male-female sexuality," and this is what holds him back on his views of same-sex marriage.

In Rauch's third proposition, he explains Kurtz and how he sits crosswire with liberalism. Kurtz believes same-sex marriage is a radical concept, and they are not as sexually well-behaved. Marriage is the core element of aspiration to the good life as Rauch says. If you do not allow one to have a spouse, you are not just inconviencing and depriving them. Rauch believes it is inhumane and cuts against liberalism's core principle to not allow same-sex couples to marry. Rauch is happy to see Kurtz is leaving the door open to domestic partnership programs though. Basically, Rauch believes that Kurtz is not giving homosexuals the chance to prove his beliefs wrong.

In Rauch's forth and final proposition, he explains Kurtz and how he traduces federalism. Kurtz has this theory that it will take decades to gather and review research material from same-sex couples, and it's nearly impossible to do. In response to that, Rauch questions if states should be able to do other things that take decades to measure, like welfare reform on charter schools and a living wage. Rauch sees Kurtz as a radical enemy, not just of same-sex marriage, but of federalism itself. When it comes to government and the decision, Kurtz believes that once one state accepts gay marriage, every other one will follow suit. Rauch has figured out that Kurtz is clearly scared of a successful adaptation of same-sex marriage.

To conclude, "Who's More Worthy" is an article about same-sex marriage where two completely different people have opposing views on the subject matter. These two people debate back and forth with one another, and that's where you get the title "Who's More Worthy" because it is really a test of knowledge on a subject and how it is presented, and this article tries to answer that very question.