The role of fatherhood has always been seen as a secondary role to motherhood when it comes to the nurturing and parenting aspect of newborns, children, adolescents, and young adults. Many society norms view fathers as unfit to be the main care taker of children because of the bond and natural instinct that a women have with children. As society advances, the societal norms and gendered positions of masculinity are changing the world’s perspective of homosexual fatherhood. The roles of viewing fatherhood as an important aspect of a children’s development as we examine the shifting changes of fathers being the main caregiver in same sex couples. Although, same sex marriages have been legal in the United States since 2015 but this as not stopped same sex couples being caregivers to children before legalization of same sex marriage. Roadblock to obtain fatherhood has been seen throughout laws and policies, expression of an individuals’ own sexuality, and societal norms. As we examine in our culture fatherhood, we are able to see the positive benefits on children to have a homosexual male couple as fathers. Barriers in fatherhood for homosexual couples Homosexual male couples have been seen within our history has having some of the largest challenges to overcome when it comes to having a family and have their family be seen a legitimate. One of the largest barrier is the perception that society has on males wanting to adopt. It has been reported that “more than half of gay
In conclusion, the augment for gay adoption is far stronger and far better supported than those opposed. One must admit that sexual orientation is fundamentally irrelevant to a person’s capacity to be a good parent. The opposition to gay and lesbian adoption has failed to support its
This article talks about the support of second parent adoption for gays everywhere. They support the idea that children with two capable adults no matter what gender are able and should be able to care for a child. Although they support this, the article does not show any sort of negativity toward the opposite side relating the issue. The site details the rights that the second parent should be guaranteed through an adoption. They also think that pediatricians and other professions dealing with children should get more familiar with learning about gays and the children they adopt. The authors are the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. The people in the committee have many different backgrounds and are advocates for children’s
Attention getter: Discrimination against gay men and lesbian women has been socially recognized for hundreds of years and still continues today. Homosexuals have adopted children for many years, regardless of fear and prejudice. The controversy of this matter is why homosexuals are not presented the equal fairness of the process and open opportunity as heterosexual couples who seek to adopt or foster children. There is a certain extent to which the sexual orientation of couples (or single potential parents) seeking to adopt children impede on the opportunity to provide children with a permanent and stable home.
Nearly half of minors living in the U.S are living in a home with heterosexual parents in their first marriage. In 1990, there were 1.2 million out-of-wedlock births out of 4 million total. These high rates of marital instability can have significant implications for the father-child relationship. Furstenberg and Harris (Furstenberg & Harris, 1992, p. 104) claim that African-American fathers, who have become fathers during adolescence, have shifted their focus from being the primary financial supporter to becoming a willing parent, more involved with their child’s growth and development (Furstenberg & Harris, 1992, p. 199). In this paper, I will propose a possible explanation to why young fathers may
“There is no scientific basis for concluding that lesbian mothers or gay fathers are unfit parents on the basis of their sexual orientation” (Armesto, 2002; Patterson, 2000; Tasker & Golombok, 1997). Ever since gay and lesbians have been parents people have questioned how the parents’ sexual orientation impacts child and adolescent development. Opponents of same-sex parents argue that sexual orientation has a negative impact on child development, while proponents argue that the relationship between the child and parents is what matters. National, state, and local governments are faced with the controversy surrounding same-sex parenting. People have very strong opinions on both sides of the argument. Children and adolescents who are under lesbian or gay parents have normal child development compared with children under heterosexual parents. These children develop normally socially, mentally, and academically.
Gay adoption is a subject which is widely debated. However over recent years gay adoption has allowed for most gay couples who want to adopt young children and give them a good quality of life, which they would have if they lived with their biological parents or a heterosexual couple, to do so.
There are currently 107,011 kids in the U.S. foster care system that are hoping and waiting to be adopted, so just imagine how many of those children could be adopted if more lesbian and gay couples were able to adopt. According to lifelong adoption agencies more and more gay and lesbian couples are becoming parents through artificial insemination, a surrogate, or LGBT adoption. It’s hard for same sex couples to adopt because adoption agencies that have religious beliefs against same sex couples reject them, or a state law prohibits same sex parents. Same sex couples face much opposition from a large number of people even though they do not have well supported arguments for their beliefs. Many studies have been done in an attempt to figure
Gay couples are fully capable of providing a stable and loving home for children. They are as good of a parent as any heterosexual parents. 22 states have determined this, and other agencies and courts have firmly resolved this, thereby granting gay couples the privilege of adopting children (ACLU, n.d.). All of the research regarding same-sex parents have concluded that children of these couples grew up as successfully as children of heterosexual couples (ACLU, n.d.). There is no evidence that proves children of same-sex parents are at a disadvantage socially, mentally, emotionally, or academically.
Gay parents are facing discrimination because of their sexual orientation. Twenty-two states currently allow single gays to adopt and 21 states currently allow gay and lesbian couples to adopt in the U.S. (Mallon, 2007, p. 6). The ability of gay couples to rear a child should not be denied only because they are gay. Homosexuals may be looked down upon by society, but they still are humans and have morals. These morals they possess, may influence a child more than those morals taught to a child with heterosexual parents. All over the world, children suffer in families consisting of alcoholics, drug abusers, and sexual abusers (Powell, 2007, p.1). It is not possible that these environments are safer than what would be provided by homosexual
Since the early 1900s, homosexual people have become increasingly popular and greatly resisted. People that are homosexual face barriers placed upon them by the political system and society. Due to these challenges, homosexuals fought to have the same marital and parental rights as heterosexual people. Same-sex adoption is not prohibited in most states in the United States of America and many places worldwide. Family is not determined solely on blood relations and should be legalized in all parts of the world; because homosexual parents are just as good as heterosexual parents, if not better, and can provide an enriching second chance for many children waiting to be adopted.
Tim Pope said, "Homosexual people are unstable in their lifestyle-period. It is said that there is no real evidence supporting the fact that homosexuals are not able to provide a stable home. " I would like to conclude my speech on the general purpose. Next I would like to talk about the anti-homosexual adoption side of the debate. First I will restate the cons of the situation. The Child Welfare League of America says that every time a group was introduced to be able to adopt, there was controversy. The adoption family center says that there is no evidence to suggest that the children of lesbian and gay parents are less intelligent, suffer from more problems, are less popular, or have lower self-esteem than children of heterosexual parents. All of the research to date states that lesbians and gay men are not unfit to be parents. "A homosexual relationship implies the exercise of illegal activities, and no child should be permitted to enter that type of setting," he said. The fact of the matter is that good parenting does not dwell on the fact of sexual orientation but the fact of a loving and nurturing home. " Homosexual relationships are said to last a shorter amount of time than heterosexual relationships. It is said
In today’s society more and more children become orphans each day. While the number of orphans rise, so does the demand for families these children. By legalizing same sex adoption in the U.S., the number of orphans could drop substantially. In 2003, adoption agencies received many homosexual applicants, especially gay men (Gilgoff, 2004). In 2014, around 400,000 children entered in the United States foster care system. Out of those entered, only 100,000 of them were eligible to be adopted. A large amount of those children could have been adopted by the eager same sex couples who desperately want to start a family of their own. In 2011 nearly two million children lived in a foster home run by a same sex couple (Maxwell and Kelsey, 2014). That number has increased since the legalization of same sex adoption. Diane Goodman, an attorney and lesbian mother, stated that parents, disregarding their sexual orientation, have multiple similarities. All mothers and fathers deal with the same struggles, no matter their gender. The commonalities shared by hetero and homosexual couples help
The social science research that is routinely repeated does not actually speak on the subject questions of whether or not children need both a mother and a father at home. Instead proponents generally cite research that compares [heterosexual two-parent] families with single parents, this conflates the number with the gender of parents," the authors write. Indeed, there are far more similarities than differences among children of lesbian and heterosexual parents, according to the study. On average, two mothers tended to play with their children more, were less likely to use physical discipline, and were less likely to raise children with chauvinistic attitudes. Studies of gay male families are still limited. However, like two heterosexual parents, new parenthood among lesbians increased stress and conflict, exacerbated by general lack of legal recognition of commitment. Also, lesbian biological mothers typically assumed greater caregiving responsibility than their partners, reflecting inequities among heterosexual couples.
Homosexuality in general seems to be more accepted than a few decades ago. However, despite the progress the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) civil right movement has had in recent times, there are still great debates and consequences for the gay community (Slenders, Sieben & Verbakel, 2014). Moreover, a sensitive issue concerning gay marriage and allowing same-sex parenting children evokes great controversies. Thus, qualitative research methods such as interviews, ethnography or focus groups can be appropriate in this area in order to gain insights of people’s opinion such as gay or lesbian parents. Is there a difference in same-sex parenting? Does parental sexual orientation affect child development? This essay will illustrate how qualitative methods can be useful in gathering information, opinions and attitudes of gay couples towards same-sex parenting. This essay will outline two qualitative methods according to this issue and critically evaluate which of the two qualitative methods (ethnography or interviews) could be appropriate in approaching this social issue. In conclusion, the essay will explain why ethnography is a more suitable approach to this topic rather than interview approach.
Nowadays, the question of gay marriage is one of the most heated and controversial. Over the years, same-sex couples are fighting for the legal recognition for their marriages and their right as parents. Parenthood is one of the most valuable experiences in a human life. After finding a partner, it is natural for people to want to raise children. Homosexual parent are the same in ability and commitment to raised healthy children. It would be a big step for improvement in our society to provide necessary support and rights for same-sex couples and their children.