While the supporters of “family values” and the right wing conservatives are freely attempting to dismantle the existence of same-sex parents, studies are showing fuel for the opposing arguments. Without stepping on a soap box and preaching a belief system, neutral entities have come out in support of same sex parenting with factual data that cannot be dismissed. Some of the following issues are clearly fuel for the defense of same sex parenting, and even document its equality, and near superiority. The top three benefits of Same-sex parenting are noted here.
- Same sex Parents Are More Prepared to Parent
While it is true that heterosexuals have the advantage of procreative parentage, they also have the disadvantage of unplanned pregnancies. There is no doubt that the lesbian and gay male couples have to prepare, plan, and work towards parenting. Children in these families do not come unwanted, or by surprise. This act of preparation, sometimes years in development, document a desire to parent, a desire for the responsibilities that come with that role, and a clear wish to guide the life of a child in superior fashion.
It is a documented fact that same-sex couples, who cannot unwittingly conceive a baby, have to explore the options of becoming parents long before the baby’s arrival. They must consider fertility measures, adoption and surrogacy. The channels by which they are granted the joy and trials of parenting do not come surreptitiously, nor by any process which is not well thought-out. The Guttmacher Institute has produced data that states over 51% of pregnancies are unexpected, and not preplanned. Greater than 3.4 million babies are hence unplanned, and then 3 in 10 of these women will choose adoption over parentage. In same-sex couples, the pregnancy is always wanted, always planned for, and delivered into a situation that most often has preplanned resources.
2. Same-sex Parentage Promotes Positive Outcomes for the Health of the Child
No question same-sex families are challenged by stigma and discriminatory views, but studies have suggested that the exposure to these issues do not come with the perceived negative impact that the opposition to gay parenting would propose. In reality, the exposure a child has to the challenges of their same-sex parents produces an awareness that fosters better mental health outcomes. In an Australian study, from the University of Melbourne, 500 children from same-sex families were studied. Authors found that “Through improved awareness of stigma, these findings play an important role in health policy, improving child health outcomes.”
3. Evenly Distributed Roles May Foster Better Health Outcomes for Children
In same-sex families, roles and responsibilities are often more evenly distributed. The role each parent takes is not guided by stereotype or predetermined expectations. Children that grow up in such an environment are more likely to take on a persona and responsibilities that are not already predetermined by societal mores, as The Washington Times quoted the Australian study’s lead researcher, Dr. Simon Crouch, “So what this means is that people take on roles that are suited to their skill sets rather than falling into those gender stereotypes… What this leads to is a more harmonious family unit and therefore feeding on to better health and wellbeing.”
All in all, thus far studies are in support of the beneficial aspects that come from same-sex parenting, even though opposition would have us think otherwise. It seems same-sex parents bring more preparation and open-mindedness to the table, with greater commitment and involvement in their chosen role as a parent.
Don’t miss the next part of this research Gay parents are awesome (Part 2).
To be continued…
