Gay parenting involves a situation whereby gay people including lesbians are allowed to act as parents to one or more children through foster care, adoption, surrogacy, and co-parenting (Bozett ix). Therefore, gay parents are allowed by law to establish a normal family in some parts of the world.
According to different census studies, about 33% of Lesbian couples and 22% of gay couples take care of at least one child in their households. In addition, the same studies show that gay or Lesbian parenting has several advantages as opposed to foster care and some aspects of heterosexual parenting (Aiken 182).
Here, the supporters of gay or lesbian parenting argue that a considerable number of gay parents provide their adopted children with more secure emotional surroundings compared to heterosexual parents. Moreover, gay parents give their adopted children a chance to realize the importance of a full-time family compared to single parenthood, which is characterized by many shortcomings such as poor academic achievements and questionable behavioral characteristics in children.
On the other hand, evidence tends to support the perception that lesbian parents who are given a chance to bear their own children through artificial insemination are better parents in terms of providing emotionally stable homes and raising well-adjusted children. Lastly, gay or lesbian parenting serves to minimize the shortage of adoptive parents experienced in foster homes across the United States (Aiken 180-183).
Furthermore, studies show that gay or Lesbian parenting does not significantly differ from heterosexual parenting in terms of raising psychologically sound, well-educated, socially healthy, and well-adjusted children. On the other hand, most studies involving gay parenting and gay adoption seems to support the idea that adopted children with gay parents have better chances of succeeding in different aspects of life and academics. As a result, this essay looks at different aspects of gay or lesbian parenting, which seem to support adopted children in their mission to succeed.
First, many gay or lesbian parents tend to support the idea that children who will live in the future age should belong to each individual living in the present age. As a result, gay or lesbian parents have many long-lasting dreams and hopes for their adopted children as opposed to foster and heterosexual parents. Therefore, apart from realizing that love builds a family, gay adoptive parents are aware of the need for the family to act as the first teacher for their children.
Moreover, these parents are aware of the society’s view of their sexual orientation, and thus they tend to worry more about the safety and welfare of their children particularly in schools (Letts and Sears 163). Consequently, gay parents taking care of adopted children tend to build a strong attachment with their children and other adoptive and heterosexual parents who are sharing the same experience and vision for their children.
As a result, the existence of children from gay or lesbian families in both private and public schools has forced school administrators and the society to reconsider their traditional perception of these children. Therefore, schools and the society become more committed towards guaranteeing the safety and integrity of adopted children from gay families thereby giving these children better chances of succeeding in academics and other social activities (Letts and Sears 170).
Secondly, studies show that the number of infants who are born out of wedlock is significantly increasing in the United States, and therefore, compromising care services at foster and adoptive homes. For example, in 1995, about 258,000 children aged below 18 years were living in foster homes across the United States (Aiken 182).
In the recent past, additional foster homes have been established to cater for the rising number of children from different races. However, studies note that abandoned children are brought in and out of different foster homes, and thus, the chances of these children developing emotional stability and personal identity are very minimal.
On the other hand, the same studies note that adopted children including those raised by gay parents have better chances of becoming emotionally stable and developing strong personal identities compared to their counterparts in foster homes. Here, the supporters of gay adoption argue that there is a high probability that many adoptive adults will want their adopted children, and thus, they are more willing to make various preparations and concessions for such children in terms of schooling and their social welfare (Aiken 184).
Lastly, studies on the quality of gay fathers and their parenting tactics show that gay parents are more willing to support paternal nurturance compared to their heterosexual counterparts. On the other hand, gay fathers are less likely to support economic provisions and empowerment for their young children.
Furthermore, most gay fathers show no signs of supporting the traditional characteristics of parenting, and thus they are more unlikely to provide their children with sex-typed toys and presents. In fact, gay fathers tend to endorse role models who are of the opposite sex for their children (Bozett 15).
Overall, there is evidence to suggest that gay parents have positive interactions and relationships with their biological and adopted children. Additionally, the parent’s sexual orientation shows no significant impact on the relationship between parents and their growing children (Bozett 15). Therefore, gay parents tend to establish stable homes in addition to long-term positive relationships with their children, and in so doing, they give their children the opportunity to succeed.
Works Cited
Aiken, Lewis. Human development in adulthood. New York: Plenum Press, 1998. Print.
Bozett, Frederick. Gay and lesbian parents. New York: Praeger Publishers, 1987. Print.
Letts, William and Sears, James Thomas. Queering elementary education: advancing the dialogue about sexualities and schooling. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 1999. Print.