Sociology marriage project to allow same-sex marriage

Sociology has adopted an option to its marriage simulation project: students can now partner with someone in their same gender.

On June 26, 2015, same-sex marriage became legal nationwide. Now that it is legal, Westside High School is allowed to incorporate gay relationships.

Sociology honors teachers Adam Fjell and Brian Nemecek, will begin to incorporate same-sex marriage as an element into his class’s parent simulation project.

“This simulation project we do every year allows students to choose a partner to understand marriage life,” Fjell said. “The main difference this upcoming year will have is partners are given the choice to be in a same-sex relationship.”

As long as these relationships are consistent with Nebraska state law, LGBT partners can be involved in this project.

“The project itself is not going to change dramatically,” Fjell said. “However, the project will be more digital with audio recordings of the partners voicing their opinions rather than hearing them in class being verbally presented.”

Conflicts introduced in the simulation project include the usage of different parenting and disciplinary styles.

Financing and controlling a steady budget is also part of the curriculum.

“Overall, the project is very realistic,” Fjell said. “Students will have to plan a wedding and possibly a honeymoon, which will test their financial skills.”

What remains to be seen are the parent’s reactions of Westside students’ option to be involved in a same-sex relationship for the Sociology simulation project.

“I think we will see strong reactions on both sides to this new decision,” Fjell said. “It should be very interesting.”