The Issue Of Same Sex Parenting

The ‘Prevention’ argument The Government have argued that, although the origins came from families, the driving force behind the Named Person Scheme is ‘prevention’. This is a key reason why the scheme has been designed to cover all children. According to Aileen Campbell, who was the Children’s Minister and is responsible for the Named Person policy, it cannot be predicted which children will need the support of services. Therefore, the Named Person Scheme allows, in her opinion, professionals to tackle acute issues at an early stage.

William Saletan – a writer interested in political, scientific, and technological topics and a contributor to the online pop magazine Slate – published the informative and well-written article Back in the Gay in Slate Magazine. The main purpose of the article is to reveal whether same-sex couples are appropriate and harmless when it comes to parenting and raising a child. In order to strengthen his points and intensify the degree of persuasion in his argument, he provides us with various scientific studies and research concerning the addressed issue. William Saletan’s sole aim is to deliver the message to the readers that it is a common misconception and entirely false to claim that same-sex couples build a toxic environment as unfit parents,

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

In today’s society, family structure has changed dramatically from the traditional nuclear family to the unconventional, such as single parenting or same sex families. Over the years, many individuals questioned whether or not a parent’s sexual orientation affected their child’s sexual preference. There is significant research that has shown that children with lesbian parents do not differ from children with heterosexual parents. Many individuals stated that it is the value of the parent’s relationship with the child and not the parent’s sexual orientation that affects the child’s development. Contrary to the popular belief, children raised by lesbian parents are not more likely to become gay than children who are raised by heterosexual

The other four said that children of same-sex couples face disadvantages, but these four studies are flawed because the majority of the children in the studies were born to different-sex couples who then experienced a family breakup after one parent came out as gay or lesbian. Gratify Children raised by same-sex couples do just as well as those raised by heterosexual couples, and there are several possible advantages Gay and lesbian parents may be more committed and motivated than heterosexual parents, because there are no accidental births. More likely to adopt children who linger in the foster system, such as minorities and kids who are older or have special needs. Gay and lesbian parents provide a unique environment that promotes open-mindedness, tolerance, and gender equality. “I was lucky to be adopted by two guys I can both call ‘Dad,’”

Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council published an article called “New Study on Homosexual Parents Tops All Previous Research” suggesting that a child reared by gay parents may not be as well off as a child reared in a more traditional family. The chief evidence he cites is a study by sociologist Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas at Austin claiming that the development of children reared in same-sex households is negatively affected. Sprigg claims that this study is “the most careful, rigorous, and methodologically sound study ever conducted on this issue”. All-encompassing statements such as this one are less likely to persuade a reader because it may make a reader more likely to doubt the credibility of the author then he or she may be otherwise. The effects of same-sex parenting on childhood development have been so thoroughly researched over the last few decades that there may be a more rigorously performed study then Renerus’.

“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.

Social stigma against homosexuals is a common experience for those raising children in same-sex families. Although gay rights have improved and a generally more inclusive environment is present there are still many who treat homosexuals as mentally ill deviants (McCabe, 2012). Even with gay right improvements there is still debate surrounding bringing children into these environments. Current discourses assume that same-sex families will negatively affect the development of children and that they are unable to provide supportive and traditional environments.

Children being raised by same-sex couples is not uncommon and not different compared to different-sex couples. The only difference between childhood development with same-sex parents, as opposed to different-sex parents, is that more same-sex households have to deal with the biological parents of the child (“Same-Sex” 1). The child’s development is not altered by the gender of the parents but by society shaming their family and the biological parents metaling in the child’s

Firstly, the children who are being raised by same-sex couples whether those marriages are available or not. In America, according to 2000 census, almost 594,000 homes are being resided by same-sex couples and around 27 percent of them have children (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003) which accounts for almost 166,000 children. (Bozett, 1993) Such children are directly affected by the same-sex marriage.

The issues that arise in lesbian- and gay-parented families are a function of two things: One is the rich variety of family constellations they comprise, and the other is the fact that they are living in a society which does not yet value rich variety. The tension created by this situation generates unique needs for the approximately 5 million gay and lesbian parents in this country whenever they present themselves to the legal system, the educational system, the mental health profession, religious organizations, the medical profession, or the insurance industry just named a few.

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

Gay and lesbian marriages or partnerships have been increasing since the 1980’s (Macionis & Plummer, 2012). Moreover, in some countries such as the United States, gay couples are allowed to adopt children (Macionis & Plummer, 2012). Kimmel

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.

“According to the 2000 Census, there are approximately 594,000 same-sex partner households and there are children living in approximately