darrencrissloveexplosion:

“Same sex parenthood doesn’t happen accidentally. You really have to want it.” -Neil Patrick Harris

In the article, “Same-Sex Parenting and Child Development: Reviewing the Contribution of Parental Gender” Tasker analyzes and disputes an argument that the sexual orientation of one’s parents has a direct impact on a child. She argues that since there is such a major lack of clarity in the field about the effects of same-sex parenting, it is inappropriate to draw such extreme conclusions. She says that the sexual orientation of a child’s parent cannot be the only factor examined while critically looking at a child’s development into adulthood. The gender of the child, the cultural context, and other factors within the family need to be as closely examined before making any concrete conclusions about the effects of a parent’s sexual orientation. 

This article relates to our argument because it addresses the question, “How does the sexual orientation of a parent affect a child?”  She claims that there are other factors that contribute to the development of a child besides the sexual orientation of one’s parents helps to sustain our argument.  Factors such as the closeness of a relationship with parents and parental involvement in a child’s life would seem to be more important than gender.

Hello:) Thank you! Yea it’s a project but we wanted to do something that other people could be apart of besides just our professor

This is Zach Wahls appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show. He discusses his feelings towards the speech he gave to the Iowan legislatures (see previous post). 

“YouTube - What Would You Do? / ABC Series - Gay Parents Are Refused A Meal.” YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. 21 May 2010. Web. 30 Mar. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3kBvLAGpbU&feature=player_embedded>.

“New Research on Gay Adoptive Parents: Healthier in States with Pro-LGBTQ Laws!” Colage. 11 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2011. <http://www.colage.org/featured/new-research-on-gay-adoptive-parents-healthier-in-states-with-pro-lgbtq-laws/>.

This article (link above), “New Research on Gay Adoptive Parents: Healthier in states with pro-LGBT laws!” talks about the relationship between a supportive environment for same-sex parents and their mental health and well being.  Unsupported and homophobic environments, like the restaurant shown in the video, can lead to an increased risk of depression and anxiety in new same-sex parents.  This video showed how most people will stand by and let same sex couples be discriminated against while claiming it “isn’t my business.”  It is this kind of homophobic and apathetic environment that breeds depression and anxiety in otherwise unaffected families.  Although same-sex couples should be able to establish their own families anywhere they want, I think that both these sources show a strong argument for the families settling in more accepting areas.  It can already be a big adjustment starting a family and it seems unnecessary to cause further strife in the acclimation process.

The article “What’s Good for the Kids” from the New York Times by Lisa Belkin tackles the question of how same-sex parents affect their children.  She says that even though information is being gathered each day, there is more information on lesbian mothers than gay dads in studies pertaining to same-sex parenting.  With respect to lesbian mothers, there are some small changes seen in their children, but the real question to answer is, are these changes detrimental to a child?  The results of the studies showed a variety of small changes in girls and boys.  Out of the children raised by lesbian mothers, girls have more sexual partners while boys have less that they would have had with heterosexual parents.  They have more LGBT friends in their social circles and are more “flexible” when it comes to gender roles.  This motivates the girls to aspire to higher-paying careers such as doctors and lawyers instead of more traditionally female jobs such as nurses and teachers.  Researchers would go as far as to say both parents in a same-sex household take more equal and involved roles in the lives of their children.  This article states a pro same-sex parenting argument that was well backed and intriguing to read.

This New York Times article was refreshing to read.  A lot of the time, it is the anti gay rights side that is outspoken about the reasons same-sex parenting is wrong and detrimental to a child.  The fact that this article is from a credible source that many people read gives the cause of same-sex parenting a backing.  Public information sources such as the newspaper have the ability to sway people, whose opinions were previously undecided.  This article gives very strong arguments for same-sex parenting and was a good source to use in support of our argument.

This article claims that for every child available and waiting for adoption, there are 16 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people wanting to adopt, according to the Williams Institute analysis. The supply of parents topples the demand. The Child Welfare League of America states it is in the business of protecting children since 1920 and has been attempting to  prevent gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals or couples from parenting, based solely on their sexual orientation. Many states think it’s healthier and more productive if foster children remain wards of the states, without parents, than to let them be raised in so-called nontraditional families.

This article supports our argument that the sexual orientation of a child’s parent has no negative effect on the child being raised. This article supports this claim by criticizing The Child League of America for discriminating same-sex couples. It also excellently shows how outrageous society can be when addressing the idea of same-sex parenting. By stating the fact that some states think having same-sex parents is more detrimental than being in foster is not only sickening but an example of discrimination based on sexual orientation. 

gaywrites:

A study by an Indiana University professor shows a majority of Americans “now say their definition of family includes same-sex couples with children, as well as married gay and lesbian couples.”

The majority also said cohabiting, unmarried couples, whether gay or straight, are not considered families unless they have children.

Professor Brian Powell, who led the study, told The New York Times “the proportion of people who reported having a gay friend or relative rose 10 percentage points” since 2003, when surveying began. The study also found more people attributed homosexuality to genetics, rather than parenting or other factors. 

Read the article above for various organizations’ thoughts and views on Mr. Powell’s findings. A personal favorite:

Prof. Stephanie Coontz of Evergreen State College in Washington, director of research and public education at the Council on Contemporary Families, a research and advocacy group, said that “Americans seem to be open to seeing same-sex couples with children as families, even while they hesitate to recognize their unions as marriage.”