Research Paper On Gay Parenting

Younger children usually have an easier time adjusting to a gay and lesbian parented home. They haven’t learned the social biases against gays and lesbians yet.” (Nighlad).

He explores the idea of adoption by same-sex couples and the adversity they face in becoming parents. He believes that recognition is the way to achieve equality in adoption. Ignatieff still believes that the rights revolution has done its duty, regardless of the severe lack of rights for all people (Ignatieff, 2007, 86). The idea of same-sex adoption was explored by Epstein, Goldfinger, Ross, and Yager, 2009. They found that despite the fact that adoption by same-sex couples has been legal in Canada since the early 2000s, there are still barriers preventing them from adopting. Same-sex couples often experience rampant homophobia or heterosexism (the belief that all people should be heterosexual). As adoption is handled on a ‘best-interest’ policy, it is very easy for decision-makers’ personal beliefs to cloud their judgement and to decide not to place a child with a family based on their sexual orientation. In spite of the laws and rights surrounding adoption, many same-sex couples are considered unfit parents (Epstein et al, 2009, 453-454). It is clear that the rights of all Canadians are not

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.

Children raised in a loving, nurturing environment have the largest advantage no matter the sexual orientation of the couple. According

Are kids at a disadvantage growing up in a household with same sex parents? Do they grow up developmentally delayed, psychosocially impaired, or morally confused? Is the traditional one mother, one father custom the best way to raise our children and does the role of each parent, mother and father, truly have an impact on the way the child holistically is risen to become. These are all questions that most homosexual couples, orphanage/adoption centers, surrogate mothers, egg donors, social workers, and the general lay people think of. It is quite normal for the general public to have concerns about homosexual couples adapting or having children for it was not till recently till that United States and other countries started excepting homosexual couples as the norm. A plethora of studies and research projects have been and are continuing to be conducted by a

“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.

. So now the real question emerges: Is parental guidance by two parents of thesame sex really more harmful to a child¶s development than no parental guidance at all? In someminds the answer ³NO´ flashes in bright, blinking lights however, there are many, including themajority of Americans, who disagree. Laws banning adoption by gay and lesbian couples exist

Homosexual people have faced many trials and tribulations in pursuit of living a normal and happy life. There are many controversial events and topics that are barriers blocking complete happiness. Although those barriers are in place, the people in the LGBT subculture seem to making the best of every situation. Fighting for their rights and changing laws to protect them are paving the way for a brighter future. In hopes of being normal, many same-sex couples want to have a family and for some the only option is adoption. Well, same-sex adoption is not legal in most places which makes this dream for some impossible. This caused controversy between same-sex couples and the general public who believes that same-sex adoption should remain

Throughout history, generations of Americans have been defined by the freedoms they fought for. Our founding fathers obviously fought for liberty from England, women at the turn of the 20th century bravely campaigned for the right to vote, and the youth of the 1950s and 1960s are perhaps best known for championing racial equality. In many, many years, the historians that reflect upon society today will probably agree that the most substantial battle waged by this generation is the one for LGBT rights. Great strides have been made for the gay community over the past several years, culminating with the Supreme Court ruling to recognize gay marriages as legal in all fifty states. However, the fight for homosexual equality is far from over. Despite having gained the right to marry-which was seen by many as the main focus of the gay rights movement- many people are still discriminated against in a variety of arenas every day because of their sexuality. One such sector is that of adoption. Although their inability to reproduce may make them appear to be the ideal candidates for adoption, many groups feel that gay couples should be prohibited from adopting due to religious or moral convictions. However, a strong case can certainly be made for allowing homosexual adoptions, namely because homosexuals already regularly adopt without incident, research has proven that gay parenting is not harmful to children, and it would support adoption in general.

A research on gay parenting done by Mark Regnerus, interviewed 15,000 people. “Among his findings, published in the journal Social Science Research in July 2012, were that children raised by parents with same-sex romantic relationships fared worse than average on variables ”social, emotional, and relational outcome variables”(Regnerus, Looking at the research on gay parenting).People have had thoughts on whether homosexuals should have custody of a child or let along be able to adopt a child because of the fear of mental effects or physical on a child. I believe that homosexuals should not be able to adopt a child because of emotional stress, it effects religion, and because the child faces different environmental factors.

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.

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.

LGBT couples have existed for a very long time, and they have been raising children for years and years, but discrimination has led these people to hide from society (which in its majority is heterosexual.) However, on recent years there has been a decrease in discrimination and prejudice against lesbians and gay men, leading to more people “Coming out” and accepting their sexual preferences; which has led more LGBT people to freely perform normal activities as couples, e.g., encouraging themselves to adopt children, and do things that seem as normal to heterosexual couples.

The health of children is not affected by the sexual orientation of their parents. According to a study that was conducted for more than three decades, was consistent in the result that the sexual orientation does not negatively affect the development of a child. (Gates, page 2). In addition to the study Gates talked about, Linville also explains about a study of children with same sex parents. “One comprehensive study of children raised by lesbian mothers or gay fathers concluded that children raised by same-sex parents did not differ from other children in terms of emotional functioning,.. behavioral adjustment, and general health.” The development, care, and happiness, of a child with same sex parents is no different that a child raised by opposite sex parents. Betty Hill who is the executive director of the Persad Center, says that from what they have seen from the research in terms of development, child’s care, and the child’s happiness, there is no difference. She