How Gay Men and Lesbians Perform as Parents Compared to Heterosexual Couples
Recently, controversies have been witnessed concerning the issues of gender and sexuality. For example, the US government has issued directives regarding the legality of same-sex relationships. Several states in America have legalized homosexuality while the others have remained adamant to accept such sexual orientations. Same-sex and transgender couples have been facing prejudice, discrimination, and hatred from the general public that supports heterosexual relationships. However, the legitimacy of any form of sexuality should be determined following an empirical research and analysis rather than drawing conclusions from unsubstantiated arguments. The most common
…show more content…
This shows that just like heterosexual parents, same-sex couples have good parenting skills.
When it comes to their children, they show no differences as they grow up when they are compared to the children from heterosexual couples. When a study of children between the age of five and fourteen years was conducted, the results showed that children of homosexual females depicted the normal pattern of development in gender identity (Patterson, 2005). Other studies have also confirmed that such children show normal gender-based behaviors and sexual orientation. Across a wide range of empirical researches, it has been found out that adjustments in such areas like school, family relations, and personality of children from same-sex couples do not differ with those of the children from heterosexual parents (Wainright et al., 2004). Therefore, assertions that the same-sex couples are unfit for parenting lack empirical basis.
Gender Transition and Relationship
A romantic relationship features two individuals, either of the same or different sexes developing reciprocal affection. It is important to note that there is nothing abnormal when someone is in love with a transgender person. The two lovers develop an interest in each other, and they appreciate their sexual nature. Also, love entails a lot apart from the sexual relationship. It is a source of understanding and support. Therefore, when a partner decides to go
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
“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.
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
Same-sex parenting is taken both in positive and negative sense but even then it is regarded more as a family issue. There is a concept that where lives a same-sex couples, there must be children raised by them. Then it comes to mind that which sort of children? Such children may be divided into three groups: (Kurtz, 2004)
One may feel that it is psychologically unhealthy to raise children in households with parents of the same sex. There is the dilemma of whether the behavior of the parents can have an influence on the child's sexuality. Many suggest that children learn from what they see and model behaviors. For example,
The realization of the homosexuality in the modern western world as a cultural, sexual and a social category has been a result of complex power relations that surround sexuality and gender. The acceptance of homosexuality in the society has met its fair share of resistance and skepticism. The view that homosexuality can be in the same league as heterosexual has led it to be viewed as a normal behavioral and moral standard (Gallagher & Baker, 2006). Inasmuch as the skeptics may not want to accept the existence of homosexuality studies show that the habit is rampant today with many gay people coming out in the open. Of interest is the political acceptance of homosexuality with passing gay rights so that it can be recognized by law. This move has given homosexuals the ability to engage in legal entities like marriage (Gallagher & Baker, 2006).
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
There are more than eight million people in the United States that are in the LGBT, which stands for (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community. All of those people want to marry who they want and have the same rights as anyone else. Gay marriage rights should be legal because it will make LGBT families more stable, create a non-discriminated society, and more children could be adopted.
The gay personality may be determined during a child’s early years of development or throughout the individual’s life. A lesbian or gay individual like heterosexual individuals are influenced by family, peers, and society. Family structure, social factors, and cognition and conditioning help the development of sexual identity (Kwiatkowski, 2010). The child while living with the parents, adopt many of the customs and values the parents emphasize. The parents may stress the importance of gender roles in the household which the child may learn to
Homosexuality has been a sensitive subject in this society for generations; it has been repelled against and condemned because it is considered to be sin-natured to certain traditions and religions. In the past several years, gay rights have been a controversial topic in many areas of the public and court rooms. More recently, the debate about gays having the right or ability to parent has become an increasingly popular topic, especially with same-sex marriage being legalized. There are typically two ways of thinking about gay parenting: it’s wrong and shouldn’t be accepted or that it’s perfectly sane and should be accepted. While the people who are against same-sex parenting would argue that kids rose by gay parents are more at risk for mental disorders, social, sexual and gender development, depression and other negative effects, studies have shown that this is simply not true. In fact, a number of studies and articles have indicated that there is no negative effect or difference in outcomes between children that are raised by same-sex parents than children raised by heterosexual parents.
Stephanie Pappas states “Homosexual parents provide open-mindedness to leverence and gender equality.” Most parents spend time teaching their children their own beliefs and that certain types of people are not as good as others. The world needs for equality and same-sex parents would teach their children equality without thinking twice (Stephanie Pappas). Robert Jay Green says “There is no negative impact on children from same-sex parenting” (Ellen Friedrich). Everyone has a different home life than each other.
Sexuality is one of the most divisive issues in America. Should lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) people receive protection against discrimination? Should they be allowed to get married? Is conversion therapy ethical? These disagreements rest on ideas of what is natural for people to be. Heterosexuality is seen as the default, natural state, and this conception shows up in arguments about marriage and conversion therapy, with a range of negative consequences for queer people. However, straightness is not any more natural than queerness.
Over the years there has been many studies conducted on the well being of children with same sex parents. These studies often debate on whether same sex parents carry disadvantages to the child. Researchers who object to same sex parent often believes that children raised in these types of families suffer more emotional problems (McAllister 2016). These studies often tend to blame parents sexual orientation as the main cause of children’s emotional problems rather than looking at outside aspects that contributes to emotional imbalances. The basis of this selected literature is to give an overview of studies that demonstrated that children’s of same sex couples have good relationship with their parents at home. However, both parents and children have concerns about peer reaction in regards to potential being chosen to be bullied.
Why should we legalize gay marriage? Or, in other words, why isn't gay marriage legalized already? Same-sex marriage is just about as humane as opposite-sex marriage. One in ten people are gay. Seems perfectly normal to me. Is it normal to you? And anyway, why don't people like two gays marrying?