Same-sex Parenting
Shaelyn Leckington
Comm/215
July 21, 2014
Julie McCabe

Same-sex Parenting
Everyone should have the opportunity to parent a child if they wish too. It is an experience unlike many others to have a child. A child to love, nurture, and help mold into an adult. People of all different genders, races, and ethnic backgrounds have been able to adopt children. Even single individuals can adopt a child. However, there is an issue that has made itself known, most of society frowns upon same-sex parenting. This makes it hard for same-sex couples to adopt children. There are those in the community that believe same-sex couples should not be parents. They believe that the children of same-sex parents will struggle with development, psychological, educational and, sexual orientation issues. There have been many studies that show there are no pertinent effects on children of same-sex couples.

Certain studies, conducted by William Meezan and Jonathan Rauch, show that there is nothing to support that same-sex parents are unfit to hold parental roles. There is no scientific evidence to prove it. However, research does imply that same-sex couples are just as likely to maintain safe, constructive, healthy and, supportive living environments for their children as opposite- sex parents. There are little to no differences in the development of the children from these couples. When the rare difference is found they sometimes favor the same-sex parented child (Meezan & Rauch, 2005). Even the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes the evidence that having same-sex parents does not change the advantages and expectations for health, adjustment and development from having opposite-sex parents (“Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents,” 2002).

Other studies revealed that same-sex parents are more likely to be emotionally involved in the lives of their children, than fathers from opposite-sex couples. Children from same-sex couples are more likely to be more open minded and understanding in this rapidly growing diverse society. They are more open about their relationships and are more open to people of different sexual orientations and people from different cultures (Meezan & Rauch, 2005). Some would say, these children are more open minded and better adjusted than those from same-sex couples.

There are studies to show that many common beliefs are false. Some false ideas of the effects on the children are that children of same-sex couples are more likely to be confused about their sexual orientation, more likely to act out, more likely to be disconnected from school, or are more likely to have lower self-esteem. These studies showed that children of same-sex parented families adapted equally well to the transition between school and home. They also showed similarly small levels of questionable, precarious behaviors. The children of same-sex couples self-esteem, depression and, anxiety levels were comparable to that of children with opposite-sex parents. These children often feel more connected to school than that of opposite-sex couples. Children from same-sex parenting families often perform better than children from standard nontraditional families (i.e. divorced, single, step parent) (Potter, 2012).

A study by National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study (known as NLLFS) started in 1986 by Dr. Nanette Gartrell and Dr. Henny Bos and others, followed 154 lesbian parents to study and see how same-sex parents affected children, compared to opposite-sex couples. The study shows that the children of same-sex couples have higher social tolerance when they are exposed to different lifestyles. During the study, Siegel, a doctor that was also in the study, revealed that biased anti-gay researchers can present bad information. Siegel refers to a different study where another researcher compared children in happy opposite-sex marriages with children whose parents divorced after a gay affair. The researcher has admitted that his scientific work and Catholic faith are inseparable; Catholic teaching denounces homosexual acts as sinful. They picked families that may have biased opinions, therefore, giving information that could never be fully accurate (Barlow, 2013).

There are many opinions and studies for both sides of the argument. Some of these opinions may be based on facts, whereas others are based on religion and beliefs. The point is that children of same-sex parents do not struggle any more than other children. If a child has a loving home, is provided for, emotionally and physically, and is off the streets, does it matter who parents them?

Bibliography
Barlow, R. (2013, April 11). Gay Parents As Good As Straight Ones. BU Today. Retrieved from http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/gay-parents-as-good-as-straight-ones/

Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents. (2002, February). AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS: Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, 109(2), 339 - 340. EBSCHost AN 6422164.

Meezan, W., & Rauch, J. (2005, Fall). Gay marriage, same-sex parenting, and America's children. The Future of Children, 15(2). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1519298774?accountid=458

Potter, D. (2012). Same-sex parent families and children's academic achievement. Journal of Marriage and Family, 74(3), 556-571. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1324449883?accountid=458