In today’s world, most of society still does not approve of gay couples adopting and being parents for a number of reasons. Some believe that by the parents being gay it will make their children gay too. Studies found[however], that there is a large absence of distinguishing characteristics among the lifestyles, child-rearing practices, and basic demographic data of homosexual and heterosexual parents (Minter 70). Others believe that gay couples should not be parents because the Bible only says that a child should honor their mother and father. On the other hand, other people think that there is nothing wrong with gay couples adopting children and becoming parents. These people believe that homosexual couples should be more welcomed as parents …show more content…
What these people do not know is that it has been known that gay couples form more stable relationships than many heterosexual couples. In fact, one research study found that 59 percent of homosexuals have been in a stable relationship for three or more years,and only 19 percent admitted to cheating. However, there were only 47 percent of heterosexuals which had been in a stable relationship and 42 percent which had been in a stable relationship for at least three years. Also, almost half of the people in a heterosexual relationship admitted to cheating on the other person (Schurman-Kauflin). Not only do gay couples form more stable relationships than heterosexual couples, they also have a lower divorce rate. One study’s data found that “on average, same-sex couples divorced at an average rate of 1.1 percent annually...compared with two percent annually between heterosexual couples” (Wong). These studies help to show that children with gay parents are not disadvantaged but will have more emotionally secure homes than most other kids. By growing up in a secure household, children are more likely to have higher general health and greater family cohesion. Therefore, although many people do not approve of gay couples being parents, they have better relationships than many heterosexual couples and may prove to be better …show more content…
Many people think that a child raised by same-sex parents is going to grow up troubled and turn out like their parents. That is not always the case however. According to one book, studies have found that there is a large absence of distinguishing characteristics among the lifestyles, child-rearing practices, and general demographic data of homosexual and heterosexual parents. There has not been any study which has found children of homosexual parents to be disadvantaged in any way compared to heterosexual couples children. In fact, the evidence suggests that the home environment of homosexuals are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children’s psychosocial growth (Minter 70). In other words, this is saying that children with gay parents turn out just the same as children of heterosexual couples. Some sources suggest that children of homosexual couples grow up to be even more successful than those of heterosexual ones. One site says that there are, in fact, many advantages to being raised by same-sex couples. Some of these advantages are that girls raised by homosexual couples are more likely to seek professions outside of the feminine norm, and boys with homosexual parents are more likely to show affection and nurturing qualities towards others. Also, almost all children with gay parents are thought to
In today’s society, family structure has changed dramatically from the traditional nuclear family to the unconventional, such as single parenting or same sex families. Over the years, many individuals questioned whether or not a parent’s sexual orientation affected their child’s sexual preference. There is significant research that has shown that children with lesbian parents do not differ from children with heterosexual parents. Many individuals stated that it is the value of the parent’s relationship with the child and not the parent’s sexual orientation that affects the child’s development. Contrary to the popular belief, children raised by lesbian parents are not more likely to become gay than children who are raised by heterosexual parents. A parent’s sexual orientation has said to have little importance to children other than the family togetherness. In other words, the relationship of the parent and child is far greater important than the sexual orientation of one’s parents. To be a good parent to a child has nothing to do with one’s sexual preference, but how well one takes care of that child emotionally, physically, financially, and mentally. Before the 20th, century children were often seen as miniature versions of adults so there was little consideration to children development in cognitive and physical development. The interest of child development did not peak until the early 20th century. Conscientious parenting happens not only within traditional nuclear families, but also within homosexual families. Both traditional nuclear and homosexual families can have positive and negative effects on children’s cognitive, psychological or behavioral development due to their rearing.
Another concern is that if homosexual parents get another child of their same gender that the child will be sexually abused but same sex parents view their children in the same way heterosexual ones do. The risk is no higher than with heterosexual parents. Another argument is that the child will not develop right psychologically but to say this is saying that homosexuality is a mental disorder which according to the DSM- V it is not (Reekers 343). It is a possibility that some of these studies that support same sex parenting are flawed because they are so new. Same sex marriage ten to fifteen years ago wasn’t as prevalent as it is today. There are very few studies and it is hard to get parents to agree for psychologist to pry into their private lives for something that may or may not be proven (Meezan 97).
Second parent adoption is an important tool utilized by same-sex couples in an effort to protect their parental rights in states where same sex marriage is not recognized. Although gay and lesbian paren...
The emergence of gays and lesbians from the shadows of perceived deviancy has led to the formation of civil unions and in an increasingly number of states, marriage. As society has become more open and accepting of homosexuals, an increased number of gay men and women have “come out” of the proverbial closet. These closeted individuals may have previously been married in heterosexual unions and produced offspring prior to freeing themselves of fear and societal constraints. This gives rise to a new interpretation of the blended family. The gay and lesbian blended family. Many gays and lesbians have opted to cohabitate as a family unit merging the heterosexual and homosexual familial entity. Despite the controversies, gays and lesbians with children are becoming more and more a part of the American family landscape. Increasingly, there are blended families with two moms or two dads. During the past decade, the number of same-sex households “grew significantly” in 10 states for which figures have been released: more than 700 percent in Delaware and Nevada; more than 400 percent in Vermont, Indiana, Louisiana and Nebraska; and more than 200 percent in Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and
In recent years, same-sex relationships have become more encompassing in US society. State legislation is changing such as accepting gay marriages, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and legal gay adoptions; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is becoming public. Gay-headed families, like heterosexuals, are diverse and varying in different forms. Whether a created family is from previous heterosexual relationships, artificial insemination, or adoption, it deserves the same legal rights heterosexual families enjoy. Full adoption rights needs to be legalized in all states to provide a stable family life for children because sexual orientation does not determine parenting skills, children placed with homosexual parents have better well-being than those in foster care, and there are thousands of children waiting for good homes.
The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report there were about 423,773 children in foster care in the United States only a couple of years ago (Watson). Each foster child in the system should have a chance at adoption so to deny gay couples the right to adopt is not only heartbreaking for both the child and the gay couple but also unconstitutional. A requirement of being a parent shouldn’t focus on a person’s sexual orientation; it’s not an aspect that should matter. The main things to look for when evaluating a person’s worth as a parent should be whether the person is caring, devoted, and stable. An example is Jon Campbell and Danny Stewart, found a recently-born baby on a subway and adopted the baby, thinking that it might be their only chance in adopting a child. Another example of how much gay couples value having children is shown by Bircher, a 44-year-old hair salon owner, when he said, "Our prisons are full of people who were in foster care, and those people were in, quote unquote, straight family homes, if I can provide a loving, stable home for my little boy, that 's the goal" (Watson). These articles show how much gay couples value having children and it shows that they could great parents, despite irrational arguments against them
Today there are many studies which show that children of same-sex families are healthier and have better care than children of different- sex marriages. These studies are based on the assumption that in every home where love reigns, understanding and respect, a child always will have well educated. In the year 2008 President Barack Obama gave a speech, where support same-sex marriage. However, there is a large majority in society that says that children of same-sex couples are negatively motivated by family architectures in that have grown. Households with different-sex marriages are those that the government continues to recognize as the ideal home for marriage, these...
Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted and integrated into today’s society, however, when it comes to homosexuals establishing families, a problem is posed. In most states, homosexuals can adopt children like any other married or single adult. There are many arguments to this controversial topic; some people believe that it should be legal nationally, while others would prefer that is was banned everywhere, or at least in their individual states. There are logical reasons to allow gays to adopt children, but for some, these reasons are not enough. The main issue really is, what is in the best interest of the child? This type of problem isn’t really one with causes, effects, and solutions, but one with pros and cons. Like any other adoption situation, a parent prove themselves to be responsible and capable enough to raise a child on their own, or with a spouse.
Since the 1970s, studies on the effect of same-sex parenting on children have been conducted in the United States. Sociological debates have occurred from the idea of allowing same-sex couples to parent. Some groups feel that allowing this would undermine the traditional ideology of marriage and skew the perception of gender roles for their children. Sociologists continue to produce empirical research that studies samples of the approximately 125,000 same-sex couples raising nearly 220,000 children and comparing their roles as parents and the adult personalities of their children to children raised by heterosexual couples. Current scientific research comparing the outcomes of children raised by gay or lesbian parents with children of heterosexual parents consistently shows that same-sex parents are just as capable of raising “psychologically healthy and well-adjusted” children as heterosexual parents. Research comparing children raised by same-sex couples and heterosexual couples found no differences in the adjustment or mental health of these children as adults.
It 's 2015, same sex marriage is legalized in the U.S., yet not all adoption agencies allow homosexual couples to adopt. It is only allowed by law to have homosexuals to a joint adoption in 11 states. Adoption has been around since the 1920’s and has been a way to help orphan children gain a family. Not everyone is willing to adopt, whether it is because they don 't want a child, or they have children of their own, and it is not in their budget to adopt another. In the end there is still a large quantity of orphaned children hoping and waiting for a chance to be loved and welcomed by a family. There is an estimated amount of 153 million orphans world -wide and there are 397,122 children in the United States without a permanent family or a home. There is a way to fix that by allowing gay couples to adopt. Throughout the years America has proven their acceptance
An estimated two million children are being raised in a single or same sex parent in the United States. The exact number of children raised in this type home cannot be determined due to the secrecy resulting from the stigma associated with homosexuality (Perrin, Siegel 3). Families of same sex parents often resemble step families formed after heterosexual couples divorce. Due to social acceptance of diversity in sexual orientation (Perrin 2), same sex parenting is forever changing the traditional make-up of the American Family (working biological father, biological mother and children.) There are conflicting researches on the impact of a child being raised in a same sex parent family. Many argue that a child’s well-being should focus more on a loving, nurturing, and supportive environment while others argue that children of same sex parents are at a greater disadvantage due to the social stigma associated with being gay, lesbian or bisexual. This controversial issue has received national attention throughout the media and the United States Supreme Court.
People may ask them self, is it acceptable for a homosexual marriage to adopt children? Would children be affected mentally being adopted by a homosexual marriage? Does it make the child happy? Some people say it’s better for a child to be in a gay marriage home than in foster care homes. In the other hand, other people say that it’ll affect children mentally and will be raised in the wrong way.
There indicators of child developmental outcomes were categorized into parent and child relationship quality, children’s cognitive development, children’s gender role behavior, children’s gender identity, children’s sexual preference, and children’s social and emotional development. There analysis showed that children with same-sex parents fared equally to children raised by heterosexual parents when comparing developmental outcomes. Same-sex parents also reported a significantly better relationship with their children than heterosexual parents, which was measured by the parent or child perception of the quality of their relationship. This goes back to the argument that parent sexuality has no impact on the child but rather the relationship between the parent and the child has is the most impactful. In Crowl, Ahn and Baker (2008) meta-analysis study also found that the parent sexual orientation had no effect on gender identity, cognitive development, psychological adjustment, and sexual
Adopting children in that environment would lack both mother and father figure in their life. For example, “Children without a father figure would have higher risks of early sexual activity and teen pregnancy; however, children without a mother figure deprive emotional security and unique advice that mothers provide (Pro Con).” The question is raised, should adopted children be reared and educated into a lifestyle that isn’t natural before they are old enough to understand the discrepancies? Young children that grow up in same-sex marriage environment may experience confusion and embarrassment in public surroundings; likewise, young adults and teenagers who have family members or who are personally members of the LGBT community may experience embarrassment and unusual social pressure. Children in a stable family with both mother and father figure would provide the best environment for them to mature and be responsible. Some same-sex family dynamics are from previous heterosexual marriages; therefore, this could affect the relationship between children and the immediate family members. Being part of the LGBT community could influence immediate and extended family on whether they accept or reject their relationship to the
Marriage naturally creates families; it provides the conditions for a healthy environment that is beneficial to the upbringing of children. Opponents of same-sex marriage often ground their arguments on parental and religious concerns. Many argue that sa...