Is there any evidence to support?

Question

the view point (by many religious and non religious groups) that children brought up by gay parents are deficient socially, are badly adjusted or confused?

What is your opinion on this?

young: that maybe because you are not good enough to play for Arsnel ;-)

Answer 1

Actually no, there is not. No objective, scientifically credible studies anyway.

There are several studies, however, that show differences are minimal, if not non-existent in children from most of these homes.

One of the most respected collections of such studies (complete with full references, citations, and a comprehensive research summary) is found on the page of the American Psychological Association, which summarizes:

"Although exposure to prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation may cause acute [short-term] distress (Mays & Cochran, 2001; Meyer, 2003), there is no reliable evidence that homosexual orientation....impairs psychological functioning."

"...beliefs that lesbian and gay adults are not fit parents have no empirical foundation (Patterson, 2000, 2004a; Perrin, 2002). Lesbian and heterosexual [mothers] have not been found to differ markedly in their approaches to child rearing (Patterson, 2000; Tasker, 1999)."

"Members of gay and lesbian couples with children have been found to divide the work involved in childcare evenly, and to be satisfied with their relationships with their partners (Patterson, 2000, 2004a)."

"The results of some studies suggest that lesbian mothers' and gay fathers' parenting skills may be superior to those of matched heterosexual parents. 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). On the contrary, results of research suggest that lesbian and gay parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive and healthy environments for their children."

All of the above and more can be found at the APA site on this topic at http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/policy/parents.html

Answer 2

I think if a law were passed allowing gay parents to adopt would be great. Just as long as they go through the same rigmarole that straight parents have too, to adopt children. Since gay couples can't really father/mother a child that would be both theirs and their partners equally(genetically) then adopting children may be an even better alternative than surrogates, which is the only way that most gay couples have ever been able to raise children, unless they have children from previous situations before they were involved with their partner.
Also do you know how wonderful it would be for orphans all over the world. They would have many more parents to choose from.
About children raised by gay parents, of course, they would be different than their counterparts. I don't know if being different is so bad though.

Answer 3

It depends on your definition of a good parent.
You can foster children for years in this country, doesn't matter, if you're single, gay, different nationality to the child, single parent, working parent, non working parent, overweight, over 45, smoker , all of these are excepted. However to adopt a child you have been fostering for years, you will be denied if , you are over 40, overweight , smoker etc.
Parenting is in the end down to being well balanced, open, honest and teaching your child, discipline, love, compassion, right from wrong, tolerance, forgiveness, to protect etc.

I don't think it makes any difference what your sexual orientation, creed, or financial status, a well balanced person will teach their child everything that gives them the above skills and emotions.

Answer 4

I whole heartedly disagree but have learned that I cannot begin to convince anyone of anything they can't see for themselves. So I encourage you to try to find two parents of the same sex who have been together for an extended period of time and approach them with your question. They will probably be respectful of your curiousity if you're up front about it.

As far as evidence, I can offer you this: the health of a relationship is able to be measured with some of our psychological tests. It has been found that male/male relationships are statistically less likely to stay together, less likely to remain monogamous, and report less connectiveness than any other relationship. Female/male relationships are dead center. They have ups and downs as you know. Female/female relationships are more likely to stay together, more likely to remain monogamous, and report more intense connectiveness than any other relationship.

All this said, you can find good and bad parents in any race, religion, creed, sect, or handicap. It doesn't depend on any of those things and it doesn't depend on what they do in the privacy of their own bedroom.

(If that were the case, think of all the str8 people with fetishes you know and consider if that affects their children.)

Answer 5

A recent study over the last year has shown that in 99% of cases studied the children grew up confused as to what a mother was and what a relationship was.

Answer 6

No, but from what i have seen growing up in school i can safely say that a child growing up with two male parents would have been subjected to horrendous taunts and bullying, the type i wouldnt wish upon anybody.

Why cant gay couples accept that they are gay and therefore should give up on the idea of being parents, just accept it. I will never play Arsenal, but it is something i just have to accept.

Answer 7

No there isn't.
The worlds a confusing place no matter what where or when, love makes the only difference when someones being brought up. Not who's giving it.

Answer 8

Commen sense tells me that children learn best by the example set by others they respect. I haven't seen any evidence but I imagine there will be a big gap in their development.

Answer 9

I don't think there is evidence because people will argue the fact of the question. Good Luck!

Answer 10

that may be so because the children get tormented by peers about the sexual identity of their parents. they begin to wonder whether their parents are normal and start to grow resentment in themselves.