“One study by Flaks, Fischer, Masterpasqua, and Joseph (1995) reported that lesbian couples’ parenting awareness skills were stronger than those of heterosexual couples. This was attributed to greater parenting awareness among lesbian nonbiological mothers than among heterosexual fathers. In another study, Brewaeys and her colleagues (1997) likewise reported more favorable patterns of parent-child interaction among lesbian as compared to heterosexual parents.”
Further, studies showed that heterosexual parents were more likely to use physical discipline whereas gay and lesbian parents preferred “positive techniques” such as reasoning. Studies concluded that there was no reason to believe gay and lesbian parents to be unfit and that they were just as likely to provide supportive home environments for their children.
As far as the claims of confused gender identity go, these also have been debunked. Since there is no research among gay fathers in this area, I will look at lesbian parents. Among them, children noted that they were happy to be their gender and had no desire to change. There was no evidence of gender identity confusion whatsoever among the children of lesbian parents.
Gender roles also fell within typical range of conventional sex roles. In other words, just because a boy was raised by two mothers does not mean he will turn out to take on feminine roles exclusively.
Even in social environments children of lesbian and gay parents were no less likely to fail or succeed. Development of peer relationships, social groups and romantic endeavors were all matched by heterosexual counterparts. None of these factors seem to change with sexual orientation.
Examining what I have said so far, I see that lesbian and gay households are no less capable of parenting than their heterosexual counterparts and have, in some cases, proven themselves more capable. The APA has found no reason but unfounded bigotry to substantiate policy against adoption or childrearing by gay and lesbian parents. The APA further concludes in its writings, “Fears about children of lesbians and gay men being sexually abused by adults, ostracized by peers, or isolated in single-sex lesbian or gay communities have received no support from the results of existing research.”
There are few sources more reliable in this regard than the APA. It is clear that with no data backing discriminatory stances and policies toward gay and lesbians, we need to better educate the public regarding this community and childrearing. Individuals also need to take some personal responsibility and do the research instead of relying on commonly held cultural beliefs.
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A version of this article appeared in the May 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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John, you will NEVER be fit to raise kids. you are much too full of yourself.
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Oh, shut up.
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I have to agree with the first post...but I'd like to expand.
Sexual orientation, race, or religion should not be a determining factor in parenthood. Some people are just not fit to be parents. People who are unfit to raise a child, for example a-holes. John falls under this category.
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"As far as the claims of confused gender identity go, these also have been debunked. Since there is no research among gay fathers in this area..." Sounds like it has not been debunked.
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Well, it has been for lesbians. Good enough for me. You sound a little bitter about the research findings.
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Sounds like research if at best is 50% complete. A random sampling of just half the test cases is not by any definition complete or able to 'debunk' anything. Sounds like you are just ignorant.
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Actually, you can't sample lesbian parents and gay parents together because of the gender difference. You would have to do a matched pair study or something like it for it to be valid. Just as they have done with gay and heterosexual parents. So it is not 50% complete. Gay and lesbians are disparate in their parenting styles as evidence by these studies. It just so happens when it comes to SOME aspects of parenting, you really should read the briefing, more attention has been paid to lesbians. That's all.
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The only issues regarding gay parents raising children from what I've read over the years is that their children get bullied more. I've never heard anything about gay parents being any worse than straight parents. Ever.
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How do you define 'over the years'? A 1 year study, a 3 year study, or maybe a 5 year study? What about 18 years and above?
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Read the briefing on the APA website. It isn't hard to figure out. These are legitimate, peer reviewed studies that have been collated into a single briefing on the topic. It would be difficult for someone who isn't a psychologist to debunk them.
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"some states maintain presumptions against
lesbian and gay parents. In a custody case involving a lesbian
mother (Bottoms v. Bottoms, 1995), for example, the
Virginia Supreme Court reiterated its earlier holding that a
lesbian mother is not unfit as a matter of law but included
the mother’s sexual orientation among factors considered to
make her an undesirable parent. Thus, in some states, lesbian
and gay parents must overcome formal or informal
presumptions that their sexual identities make them less
than ideal parents."
Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents:
Psychology, Law, and Policy
Charlotte J. Patterson
University of Virginia
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