Close mindedness or scientifically proven? Legalization of same sex marriages has been
making progress in countries around the globe. Supreme courts especially in
states in western countries have made it possible for same sex couples to enjoy
and live their lives just like heterosexual couples. Despite only 81 countries
around the globe known to have gay marriages as illegal, people continue to get
into the lives of gay couples. Some go to the extent of deeming gay couples as ‘unfit
for parenting’ If you are one of these people, this blog might just change your
mind.
In places like Russia, gay parents are not allowed
to adopt. Am sure many of us want to have children when we grow up. What if you
were denied that opportunity because of your sexual orientation? I think we
would all be devastated if this were to happen to us. This feeling is no
different in LGBT couples who most often anticipate with much dedication to
raise children. In countries where adoption by same sex couples is illegal,
LGBT couples have to fight a battle of emotions as their dreams of becoming
parents are crushed.
This couple on the left, Michael George and Chad Lord have
been waiting almost six years for the opportunity to adopt a child. In their
preparation to parenthood, the two bought a house, put furniture the baby’s
room and even had an extra room intended for George’s mother who would move in
once the baby arrived, yet they have been ‘un lucky’ when it comes to adopting
a child. To add insult to injury, on different occasions, the received hoax
phone calls from birthmothers who offered to let them adopt their children. Despite
all these, they still persevere with the hope that they will one day have a
child of their own as Lord says, “We want a baby. We want a family. We want
kids. We're going to be good dads."(Johnson).
A variety of research that has been conducted proved that
gay parenting is just as good as straight parenting and in some cases, it might
be better than straight parenting. One in particular, which was conducted by Clark University,
concluded that gay parenting is better than straight parenting. “Gay parents
"tend to be more motivated, more committed than heterosexual parents on
average, because they chose to be parents," said Abbie Goldberg, a
psychologist at Clark University in Massachusetts” ( Pappas). This was the main
idea behind their conclusions. With statistics showing that, almost 50% of
children of heterosexual couples in the United States are unexpected, this
further proves their findings.
Another research conducted by University of Melbourne
showed that children of same sex couples were better than those of straight
couples in terms of general health and family cohesion. The only difference
between the two was the discrimination that same sex couples children face due
to the sexual orientation of their parents (Crouch). This study shows that negativity
towards gay couples not only has a negative impact on the parents but also on
their children. Both these studies show that one’s sexual orientation does not
affect the ability of a person to raise a child/children.
Its time we move on and embrace change in our society. Were are
where we are because of change that occurred from BC to the 21st
century. There have major advancements in technology and people seem to be all
right with these changes. The same attitudes should be present when it comes to
LGBT. Not accepting change can limit the growth of a nation/community. The world
would be a better place if we keep our differences aside and accept people of
all kind.
Questions
1)
What factors contribute to the popular belief
that the formula to a well functioning parent in a father and a mother?
2)
Many same sex couples look towards adoption to
have a child. If you gave up your child for adoption, would you allow them to
be adopted by a homosexual pair? Explain
3)
What factors do you think contribute to raising
a ‘grounded child’?
Works Cited
Johnson, S. "A Same-sex Couple's Struggle to
Adopt." JOHNS HOPKINS
MAGAZINE 10 Sept. 2013: n.
pag. Web. 31 May 2014.
Pappas, S. "Gay Parents Better Than Straight Parents?
What Research Says."
Web log
post. The Huffington Post. N.p., 16 Jan. 2012. Web. 31 May 2014.
Crouch, S. David, E. and Waters. E. "ACHESS – The Australian
Study of Child Health
in Same-sex
Families." BMC Public Health (2012): n. pag. Web. 31 May 2014.
1. I believe one of the factors that contribute to popular belief that heterosexual couples are better parents is how babies are biologically made. Normally, it takes a man and a woman to conceive a baby so we assume that only those people are capable of raising children. Also, the heterosexual couple that created the baby might care more since the child is made out from their DNA’s. Another factor would be tradition and culture since tradition has defined a family as a group of people consisting of a mother, a father and a child.
ReplyDelete2. If I ever have a child that I have to give up for adoption because of probably serious reasons, I would allow him/her to be adopted by a homosexual couple since they would most likely take care of my child like it was their own child. I believe my child would be more open towards the close minded views of society if he/she had homosexual parents. I also believe they would protect him/her with their life like any other parents would. There would not be much of a difference if the child would have homosexual or heterosexual parents except for the fact that they might get teased since society is still not that open to having same-sex families in their neighborhoods. However, I believe the child would grow up tough and have open views in society.
3. I believe that factors that contribute to raising a “grounded child” is having people who accept him/her decisions no matter what they may be. He/she would need parents who support them and push them to do their best. He/she doesn’t have to be raised by a heterosexual couple to become a grounded child.
Hi Lillian! Ironically, my sister wrote a speech about this topic. :P
Hey Lillian, this was a very informative blog, and you raised very important issues and concepts related to parenting and same-sex couples. In a sense, people may view a well-adjusted child as the product of a mother and father. Why is this? This could be for many reasons. Historically, a wife and a husband were the only possible combination, for this reason, same-sex couples were viewed as an abomination. Likewise, traditional gender role ideologies do play a role in this as well. Traditionally, families were only nuclear, and consisted of only a mother or father. Therefore, old concepts and ideas surrounding gender and families do play a part in how they are viewed today. Moreover, the biological point that Zoe mentioned is definitely a factor as well. Due to babies being formed by a male and female, people do in fact assume that a man and woman are the only means in which a baby can be raised properly.
ReplyDelete2)To be honest, i do not believe I would care too much about that. What matters most to me is giving my child to well adjusted and well mannered parents who can properly raise a child. For this reason, i wouldn't care too much about their choices and decisions regarding their own lifestyle. I believe that I would pay more attention to who they are, rather than their lifestyle and choices concerning their mate.
3)There are many factors that lead to a well-grounded and well-adjusted child. An authoritarian parent, who raises their child with both discipline and kindness generally leads to the child being well-adjusted and well-grounded. Essentially, how a person is raised, and their upbringing in which they grew in, is crucial for a child's emotional and psychological development. Similarly, the economic status of the child's family is important for how the child is raised. All in all, there are many contributing factors for how to raise a well-developed child, a persons upbringing and environment in which they grew in is vital to their development. And just as Zoe mentioned as well, it doesnt only take a hetrosexual couple to raise a well-rounded, and well-adjusted child.