This document outlines a research on homosexual parenting. More specifically, this document attempts to answer the question of whether or not there is a correlation between homosexual parents and the educational malaise or well being of the child from such families. Moreover, it is hypothesized that the research have presented data that showed how children from gay and lesbian families have equally adapted to society as children coming form heterosexual families and that there are actual demonstrable benefits that can be observed in children of same-sex partnerships.
It is estimated that over one million children are currently being raised in households with parents of the same sex (Wald “Same-sex couples: Marriage, families, and children. An Analysis of Proposition 22, The Knight Initiative. ”). In a society where issues on gay marriage and gay parenting have sparked heated debate amongst Americans, it is of utmost importance to use scientific sociological and psychological research to provide an objective point of view on the controversial issue of whether straight or gay couples are “fit” to raise children.
In line with this, this research have focused on the psychological and social well being of children from homosexual families in order to provide essential information about this subject matter. Key concepts surrounding this area of study include children with regards to their adjustment capabilities to their environments, cognitive development, the concept of family environment, homosexuality, interpersonal and family relationships and structures, notion of proper parenting skills and definitions of well-being and health.
Also, this study made use of comparative analysis wherein same-sex parents were compared to the “social ideal” of a heterosexual nuclear family. Methodology. This research have utilized a methodological process that outlined specific topics related to the main problem. In this case, surveys from library and online academic papers and journals were collected. The subject matter required the use of other studies on child and developmental psychology, as well homosexual issues such as same-sex marital happiness and same-sex parenting success.
Data acquired from these related sources have lead to a greater understanding of the dynamics of a household with parents of the same sex. Results. By reviewing numerous articles on same-sex marriages and child well-being, it was found out that children coming from gay and lesbian homes are equally educated as children coming from heterosexual families. It is important to mention that psychological and social science studies affirmed that homosexual parents have the same capacity for sustaining long-term relationships as heterosexual parents (Duffy&Rusbult 1-24 ).
In over 25 years, there seemed to be a scientific consensus in field of societal research concluding that same-sex couples have equal parenting capabilities as heterosexual parents. In other words, same-sex parents can also produce normal and well-functioning children as heterosexual parents in terms of physical care, mental and social developments, social adjustment techniques, intelligence and other indicators of healthy well being (Brewaeys 1349-1359). The scientific study done in developmental psychology by David Flaks was a pivotal experiment in dealing with child well being from lesbian couples.
The methodology of the study involved a comparative analysis of 15 lesbian couples that had conceived children through the use of donor insemination. The children of these same-sex families were then compared to 15 heterosexual-parent families. Qualitative assessment measures were then constructed to evaluate the children’s cognitive functioning, or mental well being, alongside behavioral adjustments. The quality of the parents’ relationships with the children and a general survey of parenting skills were also included in the assessment.
The results were such that there was absolutely no significant differences found between the two groups of children. In actuality, the study found that lesbian parents actually consistently show a higher a awareness of parenting skills and equal capacity for parenting as heterosexual parents (Flaks 105-125). Similarly, other studies about the issue found similar results. McNeill saw that: Significant differences with regard to parenting knowledge and attitudes, simply do not exist between gay/lesbian parents and their heterosexual counterparts.
Additionally, these results also failed to find any significant differences between children raised by homosexual versus heterosexual parents. (10-28) Allen and Burrell conducted an analysis of psychological literature regarding the subject matter and found that there were absolutely no differences in the styles of parenting between the two groups. They also found out that emotional adjustment in the children from both groups to be the same with no differences in the sexual orientation of the children.
As a result, it can be concluded that parents with homosexual orientation did not produce offspring that were more prone to being homosexuals. The probability children from both homosexual and heterosexual families are the same irregardless of their family background. More so, other studies found that lesbian and heterosexual mothers are similar in more ways that many have perceived and that their are children are also similar in many aspects (Allen & Burrel 19–35) .
Furthermore, this research pointed out that challenging experiences gay and lesbian parents that they undergo in order for society to accept them may even be beneficial for their children’s development. In this sense, they are not only capable of raising and nurturing children but their struggles with society as a marginalized sector make them more attuned to a wide range of emotions and grievances that they can teach their children when they face social reality and hardships.
As a result, gay and lesbian parents may even be instilling more substantial insights and proper values including compassion and tolerance to their children compared to heterosexual parents. Wells comments on the benefits of children educated in lesbian households, stating: Lesbian households are raising a new generation of men who will be significantly different from their counterparts from patriarchal families . . .
Patriarchal families teach girls what they cannot do and teach boys what they cannot feel . . . Lesbian families teach their sons to embrace the full range of their emotions. No one in a lesbian household says, ‘Take it like a man’ or ‘Big boys don’t cry’. (x-xi) Conclusion. The findings of this research inquiry adhered to the author’s expectations in respect to whether gay and lesbian parents are capable of raising normal children.
Based on the results, there are many studies that have been conducted that supported and understood the idea that same-sex households, while they may not fit within the “social ideal” of a heterosexual nuclear family, can still produce mentally and physically healthy normal children. It had been proven that the prerequisite for being a good parent is not one’s sexual orientation, but it is more on the parent’s love, passion, tolerance and wisdom to raise another human being.
Because of these results, reading studies about lesbian women raising heterosexual daughters or gay fathers bringing up “masculine” heterosexual sons may not anymore come as a surprise and illogical for many. More so, prejudice and stereotyping specifically to the gay and lesbian community can be eradicated if people would only be more open minded and sensitive to the idea that these people are just like everyone else who can also become responsible loving and wonderful parents. Moreover, the United States is witnessing a pivotal time for homosexuals.
Studies such as these will offer insights into the age-old prejudices that many have held against people that are perceived to have deviant behavior. In light of the new information that comes from this research, more wisdom will gradually start to infiltrate the blind spots of our culture with regards to people’s attitude and reaction towards gays and lesbians. Hopefully, in the near future, gays and lesbians will also be given the chance to get married to profess their love for their partners and eventually to from their own families legally.
The objective of this research to understand the nature of homosexual parents compared to heterosexual parents with regards to parenthood have come up with a conclusion that homosexual parents are as capable as heterosexual parents in raising their children in providing broad and tolerant perspective on social reality.
Works Cited
Allen, Mike and Burrell, Nancy. “Comparing the impact of homosexual and heterosexual parents on children: meta-analysis of existing research. ” Journal of Homosexuality, 32 (1996):19–35.
Brewaeys, Anthony, Ponjaert, Ivan, Van Hall, Eric, & Golombok, Sam. “Donor insemination: Child development and family functioning in lesbian mother families. ” Human Reproduction 12(1997): 1349-1359. Duffy, Stephen, & Rusbult, Charlie. “Satisfaction and commitment in homosexual and heterosexual relationships. ” Journal of Homosexuality 12 (1985/1986): 1-24. Flaks, David, et. al. “Lesbians choosing motherhood: A comparative study of lesbian and heterosexual parents and their children.
”Developmental Psychology 31(1995): 105-125. McNeill, Kevin. “The lack of differences between gay/lesbian and heterosexual parents: a review of the literature. ” National Journal of Sexual Orientation Law 4 ( 1998): 10– 28. Wald, Michael. “Same-sex couples: Marriage, families, and children. An Analysis of Proposition 22, The Knight Initiative. ” The Stanford Institute for Research on Women and Gender (1999). Wells, (name). “(Title of article). ” (Name of Journal) Volume number (1997): x-xi.