The Battle for Homosexual Adoption

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Recommended: Same gender families affect children

“If it was me,” declares Texas legislator Robert Talton, “I would rather [leave] kids in orphanages as such – this is where they are now if they’re not fostered out. At least they have a chance of learning the proper values” (Sanchez). Such a mindset betrays Talton’s ignorance of children raised in same-sex households. The blame does not solely fall on him though; many people in the world today are in the dark about whether or not to allow gay and lesbian parents to adopt children. Many research studies conclude that children are not adversely affected in any way from growing up in homosexual households; however, the fight for same-sex parents to be joined in marriage goes on, not only for the parent’s benefit, but to the benefit of the child as well. To put to rest any lingering doubts, society must be aware of the evidence that confirms that children raised by same-sex parents suffer no unfavorable effects. “[C]hildren raised in same-sex environment show no differences in cognitive abilities, behavior, general emotional development, or… self-esteem, depression, or anxiety.” However, if there were any differences, Meezan and Rauch find that “they tend to favor children raised in lesbian families.” Furthermore, Patterson claims no differences in the following psychological effects from children raised in different households: “separation-individuation, psychiatric evaluations, assessments of behavior problems, personality, self-concept, locus of control, moral judgment, and intelligence” (Ahmann). To those who hold negative stereotypes about gay people, it might come as a shock to consider that children raised in homosexual households might be better off than being raised in heterosexual families. Critics of gay parenting are q... ... middle of paper ... ...ese concerns.” Sociology Review 19.1 (2009): 20+. General OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. Meezan, William, and Jonathan Rauch. “Gay marriage, same-sex parenting, and American’s children.” The Future of Children Fall 2005: 97+. General OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. Foster, Deborah. “Why do children do so well in lesbian households? Research on lesbian parenting.” Canadian Women Studies 24.2-3 (2005): 51+. General OneFile. Web. 21 Oct. 2011. Patterson, Charlotte J., and Raymond W. Chan. Chapter 10: Families Headed by Lesbian and Gay Parents. Parenting and Child Development in “Nontraditional” Families. By Michael E. Lamb. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1999. 191-220. Questia.com. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. Ahmann, Elizabeth. “Working with Families Having Parents Who Are Gay or Lesbian.” Pediatric Nursing Sept. 1999: General OneFile. Web. 24. Oct. 2011.

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