Rights of Same-Sex Couples as Parents Essay

In 2008, President Barack Obama stated there are too many children who need loving parents to deny one group of people adoption rights (eQuality, 2005). A child will benefit from a healthy, loving home, whether the parents are gay or not (eQuality, 2005). With that statement in 2008 from the individual who holds the most powerful authority in the United States, why are gay and lesbian couples today still battling adoption laws? When in fact while trying to adopt and raise children a couple’s sexual

Arguments for gay and lesbian families is a concern for the sanctity of marriage is often accompanied by a discomfort with the idea of gay and lesbian families, based on misinformation about the quality of those relationships and their impact on children (Kimmel 184). Arguments that support gay and lesbian families are mainly focused on having the same equal rights as heterosexuals. Many gay and lesbian couples want to get married because of the benefits they acquire such as the right to inherit from a spouse who dies without a will, the right to consult with doctors and make crucial decisions (Kimmel 184). A meta analysis of social studies of gay and lesbian parenting suggests that children are more accepting of homosexuality and maybe more likely to indicate a willingness to consider homosexual relationships themselves (Kimmel 186). Another great example is daughters of lesbian and gay parents are more assertive, confident, and ambitious, and sons are less conforming to traditional masculine aggression and domination and have a better understanding of their gender identity (Kimmel

All families face challenges in their everyday life. For some, the challenges are easier to handle while for others, surmounting those challenges can be more difficult. Over the years, the LGBT community in the US has faced many hurdles. Whether it’s the legalization of same-sex marriage to adoption rights to alimony, child support and child custody in case of divorce, legislation specific to gay and lesbian couples still has a long way to go.

Same-sex parenting will always face the two different concepts: one considering it lawful, plain and simple and the other opposing it as a matter of morality. Same-sex couples can never be equivalent to heterosexual couples in terms of legality, outcomes and even children as homosexuals lack the ability to give birth to children due to which they refer to joint adoptions mostly. Many countries do not allow the same-sex marriages to be legal as they are of the view that this will then provide the alternative to the heterosexual marriages which is exactly not the case.

Everyone has the right to be a parent. If two teens in high school can have a baby at a young age, then nothing should be able to stop two adults of the same sex to have a family. Gay, lesbian, or hetrosexual people are human. They want the same things straight people want: a job, a family, and the best well being for themselves and the ones

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.

As it has been in dispute for years since it was first brought to light, the concern for same-sex parenting continues to be raised in society with jabs at ethics and practicality. As of June 26, 2015, all U.S. states have legalized gay-marriage and same-sex parenting, marking a significant breakaway for previous social norms. Yet, even with this crucial development in our culture, disputes against it still manage to work their way into daily discussions. With the recent legalizing, those who were against gay-marriage or gay couples being able to raise children are now forced to accept this rapidly changing world and be open to modern advancements.

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

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

Adoption for same sex couples is a very controversial topic in Family Law, and often same sex couples face many unique issues if they wish to adopt. Many states have different laws that apply for gay and lesbian adoption, as opposed to heterosexual couples. Several states also have special rules that apply when a child is born into a gay or lesbian partnership. Gay and lesbian couples may sometimes opt to bring a child into their lives through conception and birth as well. For a lesbian couple, this is usually done through a male donor or a sperm bank and having one of the couple become pregnant. Similarly, gay men may use a surrogate mother and then become a legal parent through adoption. The other parent then can become a legal second

It is often expressed by opponents of same-sex marriage and same-sex parents that creating a family with same-sex parentage will put the child at a disadvantage and is morally wrong. Belief that every child should either be raised by their biological parents or at least raised by a male and female partnership is often touted as reasoning against same-sex families. This is commonly expressed relating to the ‘rights’ of a child, for example, children have a right to a mother and father. However this notion of a ‘child’s right’ does not exist, there is no legally recognized right of this kind. (Simpson 2014) Notably, there is also no evidence that a child who grows up with single sex parents is in any way disadvantaged developmentally or physically. In fact, research indicates that kids of same-sex parents show few differences in achievement, mental health, social functioning and other measures and that these children may have the advantage of open-mindedness, tolerance and role models for equitable

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.

Imagine being told, by law, you couldn’t have a family of your own because of lifestyle choices. There are 251,695 same-sex married couples in the U.S, as of 2013, that had to deal with difficulties while building their family whereas a hetrosexual couple could just simply do what was needed. Stereotypes and false research have hindered same-sex couples all over the U.S because it has put some doubt into the minds of very powerful people causing them to create laws on what a family should be. Fear that our future children will end up “lesser” than the high standards we already hold them to causes important people to create these laws to somehow protect them. The lack of their research and insensitivity has created this war between same-sex

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.