Should homosexual people adopt?

[cami]

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to say that homosexual people should have the opportunity to adopt a child. I mean why shouldn't they? They are also human's just like us it's just that they like their own gender. It doesn't mean they can't be good parents. Someone maybe think that God created a woman and a man so that they could be together and what so ever, but then God also created love! And it doesn't matter who you are, who you like, something who does matter is how you are as a person.
Maybe someone also think I don't want to have homosexual parent's. But people it's better to have parent's who is homosexual than don't have any parent's.

I think that Homosexual people should have the rights to adopt!

/ cami

 

[cherokee]

Hi everyone!
I just wanted to say that homosexual people should have the opportunity to adopt a child. I mean why shouldn't they? They are also human's just like us it's just that they like their own gender. It doesn't mean they can't be good parents. Someone maybe think that God created a woman and a man so that they could be together and what so ever, but then God also created love! And it doesn't matter who you are, who you like, something who does matter is how you are as a person.
Maybe someone also think I don't want to have homosexual parent's. But people it's better to have parent's who is homosexual than don't have any parent's.

I think that Homosexual people should have the rights to adopt!

/ cami

I dont see why not as long as they meet all the qualifications...

 

[Oggie]

I dont see why not as long as they meet all the qualifications...

I partly agree with you Cherokee. Homosexual couples should be able to adopt a child, but in my opinion straight couples should have the priority on adopting children as long as they meet the requirements.

But ofcourse, if a gay couple meet the requirements, they should be able to adopt a child. Having a gay couple as parents is better then having none at all.

And Cherokee There Are at the moment a few reasons why I think straight couples should have the priority on the children. For example, as the society looks today, a child with a gay couple as parents has a greater chanse of getting bullied and that kind of stuff when they grow up, compared a child with straight parents. So I think there are actually a few things with gay parents that could make someone's childhood more complicated and miserable.

My Swedish and non-religious opinion is that we should all try to make homosexuality to something more normal in the society. Small things as teachers learning their younger students a lot about homosexuality could make a difference. It could help the next generation to understand homosexuality better, and not be against it.

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

My Swedish and non-religious opinion is that we should all try to make homosexuality to something more normal in the society.

I'm more of the opinion that we should abandon this "homosexual" vs. "heterosexual" concept entirely; there was no distinction between them until the 19th Century, as it was understood that some men had sex with other men and others did not.

This didn't prevent them from getting married, having sex with their wives, or having children-- and it sure as Hell didn't lead to them marching down 5th Avenue wearing fruit for a hat.

 

[1069]

There Are at the moment a few reasons why I think straight couples should have the priority on the children. For example, as the society looks today, a child with a gay couple as parents has a greater chanse of getting bullied and that kind of stuff when they grow up, compared a child with straight parents. So I think there are actually a few things with gay parents that could make someone's childhood more complicated and miserable.

Well, let's not penalize gay people because society is nuts. Jeez, talk about blaming the victim.
Perhaps the way to make them more "accepted" is to allow them to marry and raise children.
After all, single people are considered a little weird even if they're heterosexual, after a certain age. In this society, having a family is the status quo. People who live all alone with no families are considered odd. Misfits.
We force gay people to be like this, by refusing to let them marry, making it difficult for them to adopt.
Besides, perhaps growing up teased and bullied will help their children learn empathy, appreciate diversity, and develop inner strength of character. Who knows. They might turn out better for it.

 

[azconservative]

I would like to start by stating that I am not a religious conservative, and I have no real issues with homosexuals. I do not place high priority on issues involving the sexual orientation of any individuals.

With that said, I am a huge child advocate and I do have a strong opinion on what constitutes a healthy family. I do not believe a household of two fathers, or mothers is the best scenario for raising children. I don't think it's healthy, and I thank God I was not raised by two mothers or fathers. This debate really is not about being fair to homosexuals, but about being fair to the children involved.

 

[1069]

This debate really is not about being fair to homosexuals, but about being fair to the children involved.

My interest is in being fair to everyone.
Who isn't "a huge child advocate", for heaven's sake? :roll:
On the other hand, whenever an issue is presented to me in such terms ("for the sake of the children, it's necessary to trample on the rights of thus-and-such demographic group"), I generally find that to be a false dichotomy.
When we disregard the civil rights of any given demographic group, it generally doesn't benefit children. Social inequity is detrimental to us all.
Children are not children for long.
They grow up. Some will be gay.
Some will be parents.
Some will be gay parents.
Now is the time for equal rights.

 

[azconservative]

My interest is in being fair to everyone.
Who isn't "a huge child advocate", for heaven's sake? :roll:
Now is the time for equal rights.

I would not be willing to endanger a child's wellbeing for the sake of protecting the "equal rights" of a group of people. I believe a household run by a same sex couple is not a healthy environment so I would not put a child in that situation. I know from personal experience how difficult it is for a straight, upstanding married couple to adopt. It does bother me that my wife and I (and thousands upon thousands of couples) have had such a rough time trying to adopt, and yet we are willing to place these children into such an unstable environment as a same sex household. Try to be civil in your response, as this is just one man's opinion.

 

[1069]

I would not be willing to endanger a child's wellbeing for the sake of protecting the "equal rights" of a group of people.

Anything- anything- could be perceived as potentially injurious to a child's well-being.
Equal rights for all people, nevertheless, are non-negotiable.

 

[Justagurl]

But there isn't any evidence that suggest Gay parents are undesirable parents. Oh admittedly, you can find websites that claim otherwise, but here are some excerpts from a study completed by Duke University.

The research suggests that lesbian and gay parents have parenting skills that are at least equivalent to those of heterosexual parents

There is no evidence to suggest that psychosocial development among children of gay men or lesbians is compromised in any respect relative to that among offspring of heterosexual parents. . . . (N)ot a single study has found children of gay or lesbian parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents. Indeed, the evidence to date suggests that home environments provided by gay and lesbian parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children's psychosocial growth

These studies of children of lesbian or gay parents explore the issues of sexual identity, psychological development, and relationships with peers and adults. The research indicates that these children develop similarly to children raised by heterosexual parents with respect to all three of these areas.

The research also shows that being raised by a lesbian or gay parent does not increase the likelihood that a child will become lesbian or gay. [FN29] There is no evidence that children develop their sexual orientation by emulating their parents

Duke Study

And here is what the American Psychological Asociation concluded :

there is no evidence to suggest that lesbian women or gay men are unfit to be parents or that psychosocial development among children of lesbian women or gay men is compromised relative to that among offspring of heterosexual parents. Not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents. Indeed, the evidence to date suggests that home environments provided by lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children's psychosocial growth.

APA link

And other organizations :


American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry …. The AACAP opposes any discrimination based on sexual orientation against individuals in regard to their rights as custodial or adoptive parents as adopted by Council.

link

American Academy of Family Physicians …. The AAFP establish policy and be supportive of legislation which promotes a safe and nurturing environment, including psychological and legal scrutiny, for all children, including those of adoptive parents, regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation.

Link


Child Welfare League of America …. The League articulates a strong position on the issue of nondiscrimination of adoptive applicants.

Link


North American Council on Adoptive Children …. NACAC opposes rules and legislation that restrict the consideration of current or prospective foster and adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation.

link

American Bar Association …. "RESOLVED, that the American Bar Association supports the enactment of laws and implementation of public policy that provide that sexual orientation shall not be a bar to adoption when the adoption is determined to be in the best interest of the child.

link


With millions of children worldwide homeless, in orphanages, or in the streets there aren't nearly enough adoptive parents to go around.

90% of AIS clients who are between 25 and 45, married for at least 2 years, childless or having one child, and with adoption budgets of $10,000-$30,000 are successful in adopting a Caucasian, Hispanic or Asian newborn in less than 12 months.

AIS clients who wish to adopt an African American or biracial (part African American) newborn are usually successful within 6 months and can expect to spend $10,000 to $19,000.

The only other criteria that would possibly cause a longer wait would be

- A definite sex preference
- Over age 50
- A budget of $20K or less..
- Lack of motivation to follow our recommendations

AIS link

Society has assumed Gay parents make bad parents and in the process, they are leaving millions of children parentless or homeless due to their prejudice towards the gay population.

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

I've been down this road a number of times before, here at DP. I'll try to be concise.

There is, currently, not too much research on the affects of homosexual parenting on children, and far fewer that could be considered long-term or large population size studies. Primarily, this is because there has been so much past bias towards gay parenting, that not only were studies few and far between, but gay parents themselves were few and far between. It has only bee over the past 10-15 years that more gay parents have had children and, concurrently, it has been during this time that studies have been done. Since we are discussing the emotional well-being of the child, I use APA studies as a primary source for research. A great link that summarizes many of these studies can be found here: Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents

Most studies focus on one of three major concerns for children of gay couples: the child's sexual orientation/gender roles, the child's personal development/mental health, and the child's socialization. Most if not all studies have shown that there are NO significant differences between the three characteristics mentioned in children of gay couples verses those of straight couples. I repeat, NO significant differences.

Therefore azconservative is incorrect in the evaluation that a household run by a same-sex couple is an unhealthy environment. Evidence and research refutes this claim.