How same-sex parents can give their kids both male and female role models growing up
Families are changing, and the idea that households must conform to a nuclear unit is on the way out.According to the ONS, 15.4% of UK families have a lone parent, and the number of cohabiting unmarried couples has risen by a fifth in the last decade.There are also over 212,000 same-sex families – up a whopping 40% since 2015 – with LGBT+ parents representing a large proportion of adoptions and fostering.We know from our own experiences that raising happy, well-adjusted children has nothing to do with your sexuality or relationship status, and everything to do with the love and care you give them.
However, the ‘talking point’ that young people will be disadvantaged by not having both male and female role models in their lives continues to rear its head.This refrain is often used negatively to suggest that only heterosexual couples are equipped to be parents.
But not only is this wrong, it ignores the many advantages of children being exposed to a variety of adults they can look up to.Parenting consultant and early years practitioner Kirsty Ketley tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Having a good balance of male and female role models in a child’s life is important. ‘It ensures that children are able to develop a diverse set of skills and capabilities and gain a good understanding of gender roles in society.’That balance doesn’t need to be in the form of a married mother and father.
In fact, same-sex and lone parents can create a strong, mixed-gender support network for their little ones to learn from.‘Having someone to look up to who is like them, can inspire children,’ adds Kirsty.‘And having strong role models from an early age increases a child’s ability to form relationships and learn that love, empathy and compassion are core human.
