Why would anyone think that a lesbian or gay parent would run contrary to the well being of a child?

Question

Since when is sexual orientation a prerequisite for being a good parent?
GWS's users what are your thoughts?

Answer 1

I would have liked to have had loving, sane parents, and that's what I wish for all children, regardless of the sexual orientation of the children or parents. Since quite a few heterosexual parents neglect, beat, rape, and abandon their children, I don't think heterosexuals are the best role models or parents, but I don't think they're the worst either, there's just more of them!

On the other hand, literally hundreds of research studies have proven that lesbian and gay couples are just as good parents, if not better, than heterosexual couples, and their children are no more likely to have "issues" or be gay or straight, then if the children had been raised by heterosexuals.

Since gay and lesbian couples often have to go through a lot to have kids, their children are definitely wanted children, that were planned for, unlike quite a few children of heterosexuals, who are accidents, that have to be taken care of, whether the parents wanted them or not.

Answer 2

Gosh that's a slippery slope isn't it.

There are moral/religious reasons. There are those who feel that since a child's best model for adult relationships begins within the parent child relationship, that children of such parentage could have a skewd view of a world that is largely unaccepting of this life choice.

But by this same reasoning we could say that there could be no mixed race placements, or we could say that there could be no cross religious placements. I mean the list is endless. We forget what is of utmost importance.

Love and respect is of the greatest interest to any child. Meeting their physical and emotional needs should be above all other concerns. There are far too many children who do not have the experience of a loving nurturing family to judge too harshly anyone willing to give so deeply of themselves independent of life choice factors. If the parents were engaged openly in illegal or illicit activities which introduce the child to harm I'd consider finding another family for the children. So far as I know, homosexuality is not illegal in the U.S.

Answer 3

The well being of a child depends on the child having both a mother and a father. Having lesbian or gay parents would probably preclude that. I don't know why that is so hard to understand. Love is not enough. I completely understand the desire to have a child, but it is selfish to purposely deny a child a mother or a father. They are equally necessary and important.

Answer 4

im sure its fine until say the child reaches school age thats when the problems start......... unfair to the child . They have to explane to peers why they have two mommys ......... im sure as u all know kids can be very cruel At this age im very sure the child will learn to hide lie anything so as not to incounter the abuse he/she will recieve from his/her peers
' think about it" "Well being of a child" raising a child in that inviorment cannot be deemed good

Answer 5

I believe that for a child to mature into a healthy adult, it needs strong role models and examples from both genders, but this in no way precludes lesbian or gay parents from bringing up a child well.

I do think it is especially important where there are same sex parents that the child has good role models of both genders who play a strong and active part in their development, which equally well applies to children being raised by lone parents.

It takes a village to raise a child, whether you are one of the village people or not.

*edit - it might also be added that for a child of heterosexual parents to have healthy attitudes towards homosexuals, they should also see that same sex relationships can be loving and healthy too. The cake crumbles both ways on this one*

Answer 6

Personally I think the mere fact that lesbians and gays can't naturally have children alone makes them unqualified to raise children, as it goes against evolution. From a more sociological relevant viewpoint however, I think its cruel and unfair to the child. Homosexuality is still taboo in most of the world, and carries quite a stigma here in America, then you place a child in their care. How will society reflect upon them?

A lot of gays are so zealously eager to challenge the norms that they don't even consider the child. Perhaps a gay woman can be a good mother, or even a gay man can be a good father, however, that child will always be different from the norm. After all, the family unit is the chief social building block of civilization. Sexual orienatation may not be a prerequisite to being a 'good' parent, but rather, it is a prerequistite to being a parent period.

Answer 7

I really have no clue. Good and bad parents come from every culture, socioeconomic background, race, religion etc. I don't see why sexual preference is or should be any different.

lala- With your belief, is it safe to assume you are against single parents?

Answer 8

Because we are all a product of our environment and all the good intentions in the world won't change that.

Answer 9

gay or straight parents, it makes no difference really. they could be good parents or they could be bad parents. as long as the child grows up around all different types of people, they learn all kinds of things not just from their parents but from teachers, other adults, other children, etc. so I don't believe it affects anything at all.

Answer 10

there is no evidence that gay parents raise gay kids or that they are not as fit to be parents than heterosexual couples.