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Same-sex parenting

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Parenting by same-sex couples refers to the raising of children by gay or lesbian couples.

Controversy

There is significant controversy surrounding adoption by same-sex couples. Together, the issues of same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples comprise a major part of the ongoing culture war pertaining to lesbian and gay rights. The controversy generally concerns whether or not there will be consequences for the development of children raised by same-sex couples. Specific questions include the potential for gender confusion, biased sexual orientation, or the general well-being of such children. According the the ACLU , the majority of peer-reviewed sociological studies currently suggest that children raised in same-sex households are "relatively normal." [1] When comparing such children to the children of opposite-sex parents there tends to be no difference "on measures of popularity, social adjustment, gender role behavior, gender identity, intelligence, self-concept, emotional problems, interest in marriage and parenting, locus of control, moral development, independence, ego functions, object relations, or self esteem."[2]

The American Psychological Association supports adoption by same-sex couples in its policy statement of July 28 & 30, 2004[3][1] [2]

Arguments concerning gender roles

Some opponents of adoption by same-sex couples question whether same-sex households provide children with adequate gender roles. The underlying sentiment is that, without both male and female role models, children may develop in such a way that they are unable to fulfill traditional gender roles in future heterosexual relationships[4][5].

However, studies have consistently shown that children raised by lesbian mothers behave, for the most part, within normal sex stereotypes. Researchers have observed slightly relaxed boundaries in sex-typed play (dolls versus trucks) and in gender-stereotyped career aspirations among such children[6].

Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and a prominent opponent of same-sex parenting, cites the existence of "hundreds, of not thousands of articles and studies in the journals that show that children do best when you have a mother and a father providing role modeling for those kids and who are committed to each other."[3] The corresponding argument that same-sex parents are unsuitable hinges on the assumption that children of single parent households suffer due to a lack of gender role models, whereas the cause may instead be a lack of parental care and supervision associated with single parent households[1]; it is therefore not clear that single parent studies in any way reflect the quality of parenting provided by same-sex couples.

Arguments concerning sexual orientation of children

A related concern is whether or not children raised in same-sex households are more likely themselves to be homosexual as adults or experience gender confusion. Evidence from twin studies suggests that a mixture of biological and environmental factors affect sexual orientation, although there is currently no scientific consensus on what specific environmental factors contribute to sexual orientation. A number of studies comparing children raised by two mothers and those raised by a mother and a father have not found any relation between same-sex parenting and a greater likelihood of identifying later in life as gay or lesbian. [7][8][9]. See biology and sexual orientation for a detailed analysis.

Arguments concerning fitness of parents

The According to the ACLU And the APA, a substantial amount of peer-reviewed studies support the conclusion that, under similar socioeconomic conditions, children raised by same-sex couples are comparable to those raised by opposite-sex couples in terms of their mental and physical health[1][10].

Some foes of adoption by same-sex couples argue that gays and lesbians are more prone to mental disorders than are straight persons, and that therefore same-sex adoption should not be permitted. They cite a controversial survey study by Dr. George A. Rekers of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine[4]:

Reporting the findings of 12-month prevalence, 36.8% of men having sex with men had a psychiatric disorder**, compared to 28.2% of men having sex with women. And 55.5% of women having sex with women had a psychiatric disorder compared with 31.8% of women who have sex with men.
**The term `psychiatric disorder' is defined here in such a way as to encompass over 28% and 31% of all sexually active men and women respectively.

The Rekers paper argues from those statistics that same-sex couples are more likely to expose a child to negative influences, that therefore such children are therefore more likely to suffer developmental problems, that therefore households of married heterosexual couples provide the most stable environment for children, and therefore no same-sex couple should be permitted to adopt children.

Critics of this argument note that it is based on a generalization and does not necessarily apply to individual same-sex couples[1]. Extensive evaluations of individual prospective parents are a standard prerequisite for adopting children, regardless of the prospective parents' gender and/or sexual orientation. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a general group therefore has little bearing on the fitness of individual prospective parents.

A related criticism is that, due to a shortage of prospective adopted parents, for many children the alternative to adoption by a same-sex couple is not adoption by an opposite-sex couple but rather foster care. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry "About 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems." [4] Since evidence seems to suggest that foster care is the least suitable environment for children, it is a contradiction to ban adoption by same-sex couples in order to protect children[1].

In addition, there is reason to question the validity of an argument that concludes that over 1/10 of men[citation needed] and 1/3 of women[citation needed], regardless of sexual orientation, have mental illnesses sufficient to disqualify them from parenting.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Too High A Price: The Case Against Restricting Gay Parenting" (PDF). American Civil Liberties Union. February 7, 2006.
  2. ^ Meyer, "Legal, Psychological, and Medical Considerations in Lesbian Parenting," Law & Sexuality: Rev. Lesbian & Gay Legal Issues. Pages 239 & 240 (1992)
  3. ^ Paige, R. U. (2005). Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the legislative year 2004. Minutes of the meeting of the Council of Representatives July 28 & 30, 2004, Honolulu, HI. Retrieved November 18, 2004, from the World Wide Web http://www.apa.org/governance/. (To be published in Volume 60, Issue Number 5 of the American Psychologist.)
  4. ^ a b George Alan Rekers (2005). "Review Of Research On Homosexual Parenting, Adoption, And Foster Parenting" (PDF). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "The Battle for Marriage in Minnesota". Minnesota for Marriage. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
  6. ^ Nanette Gartrell, M.D., Carla Rodas, M.P.H., Amalia Deck, M.S.N. Heidi Peyser, M.A. and Amy Banks, M.D. (2005). "Interviews With Ten-Year-Old Children" (PDF). American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 70 (4). {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Kirkpatrick, Smith, and Roy, Lesbian Mothers and their Children: A Comparative Survey, 51 Am. J. Orthopsychiatry 545, 551 (1981)
  8. ^ Golombok, Spencer, & Rutter, Children in Lesbian and Single-Parent Households: Psychosexual and Psychiatric Appraisal, 24, J. Child Psychology and Psychiatry 551, 568 (1983)
  9. ^ Green, Mandel, Hotveldt, Gray, & Smith, Lesbian Mothers and Their Children: A Comparison with Solo Parent Heterosexual Mothers and Their Children, 15 Archives Sexual Behav., 167, 181 (1986)
  10. ^ "Resolution on Sexual Orientation, Parents, and Children" (PDF). American Psychological Association. July 2004.
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