Final answer:
The statement that legalizing same-sex marriage will lead to a decrease in heterosexual marriages is false. Sociological and legal discussions emphasize equality in marriage rights, with no evidence suggesting a decline in heterosexual marriages upon the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to our textbook, legalizing same-sex marriage will cause a decrease in heterosexual marriages is False. There is no substantive evidence to suggest that allowing same-sex couples to marry reduces the rate of heterosexual marriages. In fact, sociological studies and legal arguments for same-sex marriage emphasize the importance of granting legal recognition and the accompanying financial and legal benefits to gay and lesbian couples, which have traditionally been denied to them. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 and subsequent state bans on same-sex marriage created legal obstacles, which were eventually overturned, recognizing the need for equal marriage rights regardless of sexual orientation.
From an economic and sociological perspective, it is clear that same-sex couples have been at a disadvantage without the legal rights afforded by marriage. Conflict theory illustrates the struggle for social and financial resources between heterosexual and homosexual couples. And, looking back at historical changes to marriage laws, such as those allowing interracial marriages, demonstrates a precedent for evolving legal definitions of marriage.