Krischak 1

Brooke Krischak

ENG1201.518

Professor Tyler

24 March 2021

What Are the Benefits of Same-Sex Parenting?

There have been many heated discussions on whether same-sex parenting is harmful to a

child’s overall wellbeing. This has been a hot topic debate, especially after the national

legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States. Are these negative remarks on same-sex

parenting purely opinion? What are the positive effects or benefits for children with same-sex

parents, specifically those who are married?

It is obviously biologically impossible for two people of the same sex to conceive a child,

but does that make them unfit to be parents? With so many children within the foster system and

in adoption agencies, why do so many object the idea of same-sex couples fostering and

adopting? Also, if artificial insemination is encouraged for heterosexual couples that cannot

conceive naturally, why can this not be a viable option for same-sex couples who would like to

do the same? Many will say that children fare best when raised in a different-sex married couple

household. However, what are the benefits of a same-sex married couple household on children?

The main concern of same-sex parenting is the idea that having two parents of the same-

sex will cause the child to feel confused about their own sexual identity. In George W. Dent’s

article, “Same-Sex Parenting is Harmful” he stated that young children may get the feeling or

even be told by others that their parents are unusual, which in turn initiating their sexualization at

a very young age (Dent). However, this says more about society than the actual parents

themselves. In Stephanie Pappas’ article she stated that if there are any disadvantages to children
 Krischak 2

of same-sex marriages it has nothing to do with the parents’ gender and absolutely everything to

do with how society reacts towards the families. Being told that your family is less than others

have a negative impact on a child. More acceptance of same-sex families would help solve this

problem (Pappas).

There’s evidence that shows that same-sex parents tend to be highly motivated, involved

and committed. This is because they most likely did a lot of work to become parents and chose to

be parents. While same-sex parents rarely become pregnant by accident, approximately fifty

percent of different-sex couples are accidental pregnancies (Kulik). Given these statistics same-

sex parents on average tend to have greater commitment and are more involved.

There were also a few articles stating that children raised by same-sex couples do better

in school. The majority of them stated that it was children raised by lesbian parents. One specific

study followed 154 prospective lesbian mothers who were enrolled before their children were

born through artificial insemination. The US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study’s

objective was to document the psychological adjustment of these children from birth to

adulthood. According to the reports, the 17-year-old children of these mothers were rated

significantly higher in social, school/academic, and significantly lower in social problems, rule-

breaking to name a few compared to their age-matched counterparts (Gartrell, Bos).

Another study showed that children of same-sex couples are as well-adjusted as their

peers. Some even show that children of same-sex families have the advantage of open-

mindedness, tolerance, and role models for equitable relationships (Pappas). Another important

factor to look at is the validity of these studies, both supporting and opposing same-sex

parenting. For example, Charlotte Patterson a psychology professor from the University of

Virginia stated that the source of such studies makes all the difference. Child Development, the
 Krischak 3

journal where her study was published, is highly reputable in its field and is subjected to a

rigorous peer review process. Patterson has yet to see a study that has been published in a peer-

reviewed journal that argues children of same-sex parents suffer compared to their peers

(Jacobs).
 Krischak 4

Bibliography

Dent, George W. "Same-Sex Parenting Is Harmful." Parenting, edited by Roman Espejo,

Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010863214/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=5b0852a4. Accessed 24 Mar. 2021. Originally published as

"No Difference? An Analysis of Same-Sex Parenting," Ave Maria L. Rev., 2011.

Gartrell, Nanette, and Henny Bos. “US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study:

Psychological Adjustment of 17-Year-Old Adolescents.” PubMed.gov, U.S. National

Library of Medicine, 7 June 2010, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20530080/.

Jacobs, Ethan. “Study Sheds Light on Children of Same-Sex Parents.” Bay Windows, vol. 22, no.

49, 18 Nov. 2004, p. 3. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=qth&AN=15406984&site=ehost-live.

Kulik, Dr Dina. “Why I Love Same-Sex Parents.” HuffPost Canada, HuffPost Canada, 30 June

2016, www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-dina-kulik/advantages-of-gay-parents_b_7683014.html.

Pappas, Stephanie. "Same-Sex Parenting Is Beneficial." Parenting, edited by Roman Espejo,

Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing

Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010863215/OVIC?

u=dayt30401&sid=OVIC&xid=d0078b1a. Accessed 7 Mar. 2021. Originally published

as "Why Gay Parents May Be the Best Parents," LiveScience.com, 15 Jan. 2012.