It's the position of the American Psychological Association that children adopted by gay and lesbian parents are just as healthy and well cared for as children raised by heterosexual parents. That's good news for the nearly 12 million children in the United States with gay and lesbian parents. These families provide security, love and support to their children, but the family structure may provide some additional benefits for adopted children.
Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Children raised by same-sex parents have the same level of emotional health as children raised by heterosexual parents, according to an American Psychological Association position paper on gay and lesbian parenting. The APA points out that no published and peer-reviewed articles or studies have shown that children of gay and lesbian parents have diminished mental health or psychological development. The APA concludes that placing children in a stable gay home can positively effect their health and psychological development in ways that mirror placing them with stable heterosexual families.
Empathy
Children with gay and lesbian parents have more empathy toward others and are more fluent in and comfortable with issues of human diversity, according to an article published by the National Organization for Men Against Sexism. These children tend to have more freedom to express themselves outside the norms of standard gender roles. Boys feel freer to explore traditionally feminine aspects of their personalities, while girls more readily exhibit traditionally masculine qualities. In other words, boys raised by LGBT parents are less likely to feel shame about participating in dance, cooking, fashion or the arts, while girls are more likely to feel comfortable exploring the world, participating in sports and taking on traditionally male occupations.
Involved parenting
Gay and lesbian parents are just as involved in child care as heterosexual parents. The National Organization for Men Against Sexism says that the obstacles gays and lesbians have to overcome to adopt illustrate their desire to be thoroughly invested parents and caretakers. The article points to a study that found that gay men worked fewer hours in order to devote more time to parenting. The Child Welfare League of America says that because of sexism, homophobia and legal discrimination, LGBT families have to work harder to protect the rights of their families and the well-being of their children.
References
- American Psychological Association: Lesbian and Gay Parenting
- National Organization for Men Against Sexism: Gay Parenting
- Child Welfare League of America: Position Statement on Parenting of Children by Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents
