Children raised by Homosexuals - Essay Example

Study on the Psychological Effects of Children being raised by Homosexuals by Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Psychology Walden University [last month of quarter you plan to graduate] 2005 ABSTRACT This paper explores the relationship between homosexual parents and their offspring. There are a number of researches; surveys and credible journals published which talk about the possible effects of having a homosexual parent to the upbringing of a child. Having a literature review of such credible journals is important as a way of highlighting the real impact of having homosexual parents to the psychological, intellectual, and social well-being of a child. Study on the Psychological Effects of Children being raised by Homosexuals by [your name] Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Psychology Walden University [last month of quarter you plan to graduate] 2005 DEDICATION [optional page for dedication] ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Text. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHOD 26 CHAPTER 4 Results 28 CHAPTER 5 30 CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 30 CURRICULUM VITA 36 CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Study Marriage for homosexuals is defined as the socially sanctioned, voluntary, committed, monogamous, lawfully contracted union of two adult people, which the government and/ or society recognizes by conferring certain rights, privilege and responsibilities, such as finances, taxes, and inheritance, child-raising, adoption, visitation and medical decision making (Boswell, 1995). Before the establishment of the law legalizing gay marriages in some countries, there have been lots of issues being thrown upon the gays and lesbians. For one, same sex marriage is viewed as an untried social experiment (Kurtz, 2003). Since the history of man and woman, marriage is done on other sex basis. A Man will be married to a woman, hence the idea of marrying a man to another man or woman to another woman is uncommon to most. Second, the society believes that having a same sex marriage will start the society to a slippery slope, particularly towards a legalized incest, bestial marriage, polygamy and all other kinds of unusual relationships which may result to unwanted consequences (Kurtz, 2003). Third, sodomy is still illegal (Kurtz, 2003). Thus it will really be a big question to the society of how can societies accepts same-sex marriage. Last issue highlighted is the idea that there really is no reason why a society should be altered in terms of the government's traditional attitudes towards marriage and family if it is working pretty well now (Boswell, 1995). However, as people move to the modern times, all these thoughts were gradually erased on their own. Almost all countries around the world have gays and lesbians as part of their population. Moreover, major countries of the world are now legalizing same sex marriage (Wolfson, 2004). This only shows that people of the same sex can now - freely and legally - marry and start a family of their own. This legalization of same sex marriage was initiated in favor of those gays and lesbians who would want to be accepted by the society. A wife, a husband, and a child would complete their longing for their own family (Wolfson, 2004). But this raised another question from the concerned member of the populace: Can parents of the same sex be an effective parent for a child Will there be no negative implications to the child as he/she grows older Background of the Problem In Patterson's research report (1992), she cited that there are major children's perspectives on homosexual parenting. First among which talks about the phenomenon of openly gay or lesbian parents bearing and/or raising children that represents a socio-cultural innovation focusing on the present historical era; as such, it raises question about the impact of non-traditional family forms on child development. Non-traditional because, as we are all aware of, it is only in today's generation at gay relationship is being accepted - socially and legally. Patterson further concluded that as long as the homosexual parents could let their children understand the real scenario, there is a strong indication that children could very well accept and love their parents even though they seemed to be different from the traditional parents in the area. The second talks about the standpoint of the psychological theory which is: the children of lesbian or gay parents pass a number of challenging questions for existing theories of psychological development (Patterson, 1992). These challenges may include the capabilities of the homosexual parents to raise and teach their possible children with good moral and right conducts. Based on Patterson's report, there are no significant evidences that could differentiate how heterosexual and homosexual parents raised their children. As long as there is love and respect inside the 'family', raising the children morally and properly is not a hard task. Homosexual parents may be physically different, but their love and concern for their children is just equivalent on how the conventional parents do. It is actually not a matter of how a parent look in his/her physical attributes, but on what is contained in his/her heart and mind. Once a parent, of any form, realized his/her responsibility as a parent, all children could be in good hands. There are 4 facts concerning same-sex marriages. First, same-sex marriages are short-lived. Majority of the gays and lesbians are not in monogamous relationships, and in fact often live alone by preference. Most of them desire multiplicity in their sex lives, unlike the traditional marriages. Second, studies show same-sex marriages is dangerous to one's health. Homosexuals are more apt to employ in highly risky and biologically unsanitary sexual custom that raise their probability of acquiring AIDS and other sexually transmitted or blood-borne diseases. Third, same-sex marriage has the highest rate of domestic violence. Lastly, same-sex marriages make poor parents. Why Some studies shows that children of homosexuals are at least 3 times more apt to become homosexual than children raised by the traditionally married couples or they are sexually exposed to the homosexual lifestyle and/or molested or they doubt their own sexuality, be embarrassed by their homosexual parent(s), and be insulted and mocked by their friends (Cameron, 1999). But Patterson has already disproved Cameron's study. Patterson has enough proofs that there is no significant evidence showing a difference between children raised by homosexual and heterosexual parents. According to Patterson (1996), there is not enough evidence that could suggest that psychosocial development among children of gay and lesbian parents is being compromised in any respect relative to that among offspring of heterosexual parents. She further stressed that despite the long- term standing legal presumptions against gay and lesbian parents, despite awful predictions about their children based on the seemingly accepted theories of psychosocial development and despite the accumulation of substantial body of research investigating these issues, not a single study can prove that children of homosexual parents are in a disadvantageous side when compared to the children of the heterosexual parents. In fact, evidence suggests that home environments provided by gay or lesbian parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable the children's psychosocial growth and development. Patterson's reports were not the only one that gave this conclusion. In fact, Patterson (1992), Bailey et. al, (1995), Baumrind, (1995) and Golombok and Taker (1996) all agreed that parenting does not vary on the 'sexuality' or form, because as the respondents revealed - both from the parents and the children side - there is no difference even if they were borne and raised by a homosexual or heterosexual parent. This just means that children will never find any difficulty when being raised by the homosexual parents. What really matters is the strong bond between the parents and the children. As long as the parent take good care of the offspring and as long as gay or lesbian parents nurture and provide all the basic supports - emotional, financial, spiritual and physical - needed by their children, problems that may arise could be very limited. Cameron (1997) revealed that homosexual parents are not more apt to have homosexual children. He further cited that the sexual orientation of the parents - may they be heterosexuals or not - does not affected or influence the child's identity. In support to this, Golombok and Taker (1996) disclosed that although those lesbian families were more likely to explore on same-sex relationship, particularly if their childhood family environment was characterized by an openness and acceptance of lesbian and gay relationships, still the large majority of children who grew up in lesbian families are identified as heterosexuals. Purpose of the Study This study will be conducted in order to discover the existence of any difference in the relationship patterns or behaviors of children raised by heterosexual parents and those raised by the homosexual parents. Statement of the Problem This paper aims to answer the following questions: 1. Is there any difference between the normal family and the gay or the homosexual family's way of bringing up their children 2. Do the community people treat the children with gay parents just like the same as how they treat the children of normal male and female parents 3. What are the possible impacts of gay parents to the psychological, physiological, and emotional condition of their children Research Hypothesis Null Hypothesis This researcher hypothesizes that the heterosexual parents' way of nurturing their children is just the same as how the gay and lesbian parents do to their children. Hence, there is no way that a negative impact will be seen on the children whether it is on the physiological, psychological, or emotional aspects because of the sexual orientation of the parents. Research Hypothesis However, this researcher also hypothesized that it is society that tends to discriminate (against) the gay parents as well the children of these homosexual parents. This in turn, makes the children insecure and has the tendency to shy away from befriending other people, even kids at their age. As a result, their performance at school is also noticeably not well. Definition of Terms The terms referenced throughout the critical literature review and proposed study are defined as in the following: Homosexual - terms used to call the gays and lesbians; person whose desire is to and from the person of the same sex (http://www.highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072986360/student_view0/chapter15/glossary.html, 2006) Heterosexual - a person who can desire somebody from the opposite sex (http://www.google.co.nz/urlsa=X&start=2&oi=define&q=http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072986360/student_view0/chapter15/glossary.html&usg=__9k8Y4hUxjDD0b79Zt3_bdD41SOY, 2006) Research Limitations The research reviewed credible journals and articles that talk about homosexual marriage and/or homosexual families. These are the sole focus of the research undertaking - on the second hand information. Limited time and resources did not allow the researcher to get first hand information such as interviewing actual homosexual families or kids of the homosexual parents. Significance of the Study This research is study, which is focused on identifying and analyzing the possible impacts to children of homosexual parents, is significant and very timely because this could help open and broaden the minds of the many - including the heterosexuals and the homosexuals - of the 'real' life of a child born and/or raised by the homosexual parents. This could also provide a deeper appreciation and understanding of the real essence of homosexual parenting. Moreover, the results of this study can be use as a reference material or as a guide for other future researchers in line with this paper. Significant evidences that will be cited in this paper will help future researchers identify their course of action in their own research undertaking. The research also aims to make a definite contribution towards Walden University's mission of social change by presenting one of the most critically debated issues - on the psychological effects of children being raised by non-heterosexuals - in a holistic light. The research also aspires to suggest a research design for carrying out non-biased and ethical research on the issue - the findings of which may provide useful inputs in the Walden University's initiative at bettering the society. CHAPTER 2 Literature Review Factors to Homosexuality There are basically three domains of man's development. One is the 'biosocial domain', which refers to the human development that includes physical growth and development as well as the family, community and cultural factors that affect the growth and development (Berger, 2005). The second is what is commonly called as the 'cognitive domain'. Cognitive domain development is a part of human development that includes all the mental processes through which the individual thinks, learns and communicates plus the institutions involved in learning and communicating (Berger, 2005). Lastly is the psychosocial development, which is the human development that includes emotions, personality, characteristics and relationships with other people - family friends, lovers and strangers (Berger, 2005). With this, it can be easily inferred that there are indeed various reasons why and how homosexuality is increasing. The psychological and psycho-social development of a person is affected by a number of factors, and one of the strongest factor is the media. In today's world, media has been playing a detrimental part to the people's lives. Media is a short form of the term "media of communication" that is used to refer organized means of dissemination of facts, opinions, and entertainment such as newspapers, magazines, cinema films, radio, television, and the World Wide Web (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_media, 2005). A lot of people are very much aware that the information that they will be getting and eventually share to people will have great impact to the people from all countries. Therefore, any information, regarding homosexuality will definitely affect the minds of the viewers. These media information on gays and lesbians will either, "invite" to be part of the homosexual population or they will oppose with the idea. The Current Trend to Homosexuals Owning or Having a Child However technologically advanced the world now is, people's way of thinking regarding some gender issues have never been altered. This goes the same with how people perceive homosexuality. Today, homosexuals still feel the oppression for they are still treated differently by various social, religious, economic, political and legal groups (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). One of the privileged that the normal or heterosexual enjoy which the gay or homosexual people would normally not, is the ability to have, adopt or raise children. In fact, despite the seemingly increasing number of gay or homosexual couples around the world, the percentage of which who are able to raise children is so little. In France, where there are 60,000 gays and lesbians couples, only 10 % of whom had at least one child (11 % for lesbians and 7 % for gays). But almost 40 % of homosexuals claim that they would like to have and raise children (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). Producing a child of their own will be extremely hard and adopting one is equally hard for the gay or lesbian couples. Like for example in Europe where only the Netherlands populace are allowing adoption in favor of the gays and lesbians. Meanwhile, in Quebec, despite the fact that the majority of this country's population is recognizing the gay couples, most of them are still reluctant on the question of adoption, where only 43 % are in favor (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). This is the very reason why homosexual coupes are resorting to various means and ways to raise a kid of their own. There are some who have tried adopting a child but they declared that they are single and they hide their real sexual orientation. Others, on the other hand, have tried artificial insemination even if the law only approves heterosexuals to use this solution (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). Arguments against Homosexual Parenting There are still common notion that homosexual parenting would not bring any good to the child. It is believed that any child that will be raised by non-heterosexual parents will be placed at a great risk. Some risks may involve (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002): Sexual confusion Higher tendency to become promiscuous Greater risk of losing a parent at an early age (either because of AIDS, substance abuse or suicide). Probability of sexual abuse, psychological disorders brought by social integration Aside from the above stated risks, there are still some who thinks that a child that will be raised by a non-heterosexual parent have the higher possibility to suffer from depression and other emotional difficulties, thereby enabling them to engage in same-sex behavior (as seen from their parents) (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). It is also believed that homosexual parents are not capable of maintaining positive relationships unlike the heterosexual couples. Thus, homosexual couples are believed to be less capable of maintaining stable relationships, thus eventually leaving the child behind. If they do maintain the relationship, stability of the perception of the child hey will be able to rear is put under pressure. This is because it is believed that a child without a real father or mother figure, in the real sense of the word, tends to become a problem of the society when they grow old (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). Violent behaviors are also commonly linked to homosexuals than the heterosexual members of the population. There has been a common notion that it will be extremely hard for a child to accept that his parents are of the same sex. This in turn will motivate him to rebel against the society (http://www.unice.fr/mdl/uk_works/HOMOSEXUAL%20PARENTS.htm, 2002). Can the homosexuality of parents affect the sexual orientation or experiences of their children In a randomized study subjecting 5,182 adults from six U.S. major cities, the effects of homosexual parenting to children were asked. From that total number of respondents, 17 of them revealed that they have gay parents. Further probing revealed that (Levitt & Klassen, 1974): 1. 5 among the 17 respondents who have gay parents reported having sexual relations with their parents 2. an unequal fraction revealed having sexual relations with the caretakers and/or relatives 3. 47% of the respondents revealed that they have had a less than exclusively heterosexual orientation 4. a disproportionate fraction among the respondents show signs that they are dissatisfied with their gender 5. among the respondents who revealed that they are gay also revealed that their first sexual experience was with homosexual. Psychologists and psychiatrists implied that homosexuality is just a learned pathology. It is like using drugs which can be passed from generation to generation. It can be learned through modeling and seduction (Levitt & Klassen, 1974). This means that contagion is just by choice among children with homosexual parents (Rees & Usill, 1956, p. 29). This has lead most people to believe that children of homosexuals parents have higher tendency to acquire the sexual proclivities of the parents. More so, psychologists have concluded that gay parents tend to subject their children to additional sexual harm (Bigner & Bozett, 1989). However, a more recent review suggests that it is just the courts that have "often have assumed that the children of homosexual parents are likely to be emotionally harmed, subject to molestation, impaired in gender role development, or themselves homosexual, yet none of these assumptions is supported by extant research and theory" (Bigner & Bozett, 1989) Moreover, despite through research, "there is no evidence either that homosexual parents are more likely to seduce or allow their children to be seduced than their heterosexual counterparts or that lesbian mothers or their acquaintances molest children more often than heterosexual individuals. However, research on the point is scant" Bozett (1989) Same research undertaking has also revealed that there have been no research that can confirm that the sexual orientation of the children of either lesbian or gay parents reflects the 'contagion' assumption which was innate in so many court decisions. This has led the recent psychologists and psychiatrists to conclude that there have been no significant differences between lesbian mothers and their heterosexual counterparts when it comes to raising children Bozett (1989). On the same note, until now, there is no significant evidence that can prove that living with a homosexual parent may have in any way, negatively effect the children. In fact, what evidences reveal is that gay parents are, at most times, as effective and may be even more so, than the non- gay parents in raising children (Bigner & Bozett, 1989). Other studies have further proven that there are no ample evidence which can prove that the children raised and taken cared of in a household with one or both adults is homosexual can be harmed physically or psychologically. Moreover, even the American Psychological Association affirmed that there are more research results which affirm that lesbian mothers have parenting skills that are equivalent to or even better than those of heterosexual parents. This further suggests that even in the social science point of view, lesbian or gay parents cannot be linked to the statistics of sexually children (Cameron, et. al., 1988). CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHOD Methodology This research study will be looking on credible journals, articles, books and internet sources that tackle gay parenting. The number of sources that will be used will not be limited, but the date of publication or the date the material was taken/printed should be from the years 1990 to the present. This is because I, as the main researcher, believe that there has been a drastic change of lifestyle with the people when the year 1990's up to the new millennium came. That is why, there should be significant changes also on how gay parents take care and nurture their children. Data Collection and Analysis All information taken from the credible sources that will highlight or answer the stated research questions will be summarized and analyzed. This then is hoped to provide objective and unbiased conclusion regarding the topic. CHAPTER 4 Results Emotional and psychological effects on the children of same-sex parents Among the research papers that this research has analyzed, all of them are one in saying that children borne and/or raised by their homosexual parents are not, in any way, negatively affected. Moreover, there is no significant evidence showing a difference between children raised by homosexual and heterosexual parents. According to Patterson (1996), there is not enough evidence that could suggest that psychosocial development among children of gay and lesbian parents is being compromised in any respect relative to that among offspring of heterosexual parents. She further stressed that despite the long- term standing legal presumptions against gay and lesbian parents, despite awful predictions about their children based on the seemingly accepted theories of psychosocial development and despite the accumulation of substantial body of research investigating these issues, not a single study can prove that children of homosexual parents are in a disadvantageous side when compared to the children of the heterosexual parents. In fact, evidence suggests that home environments provided by gay or lesbian parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable the children's psychosocial growth and development. Patterson's reports were not the only one that gave this conclusion. In fact, among the eight materials that this paper compared and contrasted, all of which agreed that parenting does not vary on the 'sexuality' or form, because as the respondents revealed - both from the parents and the children side - there is no difference even if they were borne and raised by a homosexual or heterosexual parent. This just means that children will never find any difficulty when being raised by the homosexual parents. What really matters is the strong bond between the parents and the children. As long as the parent take good care of the offspring and as long as gay or lesbian parents nurture and provide all the basic supports - emotional, financial, spiritual and physical - needed by their children, problems that may arise could be very limited. Effects on the Sexual Orientation of the Children Cameron (1997) revealed that homosexual parents are not more apt to have homosexual children. He further cited that the sexual orientation of the parents - may they be heterosexuals or not - does not affected or influence the child's identity. In support to this, Golombok and Taker (1996) disclosed that although those lesbian families were more likely to explore on same-sex relationship, particularly if their childhood family environment was characterized by an openness and acceptance of lesbian and gay relationships, still the large majority of children who grew up in lesbian families are identified as heterosexuals. CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Conclusion It is evident, there is no negative impact, whatsoever, to children even if they are borne and/or raised by homosexual parents. If we talk about the emotional, psychological and psychosocial influence to children of gay or lesbian parents, all the reports initially studied proved that homosexual parents provide the same care and nurturing as that given by the heterosexual parents. Hence, homosexuals can indeed be effective in their role as parents. Recommendations The research study focused on the available journals and articles related to homosexuality, marriage and families. It is then recommended that another study is conducted which will focus on first hand sources of information. An interview or a survey can be done which will subject either homosexual parents or the children of the homosexual families. Their sexual orientation, preference and physiological and emotional status will be subjected to further probing. Such research undertaking will verify whether or not homosexual parents directly affect their children. References Anderssen, N, Amlie, C, Ytteroy, E. A. (2002) Outcomes for children with lesbian or gay parents: A review of studies from 1978-2000,Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 43(4), 335 -351. Bailey, M.J., Bobrow, D., Wolfe, M., & Mikach, S. (1995). Sexual orientation of adult sons of gay fathers. Developmental Psychology, 31(1), 124-129. Baumrind, D. (1995). Commentary on sexual orientation: Research and social policy implications. Developmental Psychology, 31(1), 130-136. Berger, Kathleen Stassen (2005). "The Developing Person through the Life Span". 6thEd. New York: Worth Publishers. Bigner, J. J., & Bozett, F. W. (1989). Parenting by gay fathers. Marriage and Family Review, 14, 155-175. Boswell, John (1995). The Marriage of Likeness: Same-sex Unions in Pre-modern Europe. New York: Simon Harper and Collins. ISBN 0-00-255508-5. Bozett, F. W. (1989). Gay fathers: A review of the literature. Journal of Homosexuality, 18, 137-196. Cameron, P., & Cameron, K. (1996). Homosexual parents. Adolescence, 31(124), 757-776. Cameron, P, & Cameron K. (1997). Did the APA misrepresent the scientific literature to courts in support of homosexual custody Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 131(3), 313.332. (and so forth-please ask if you have questions!) Cameron, P., Cameron, K., & Proctor K. (1988). Homosexuals in the armed forces. Psychological Reports, 62, 211-219. "Competing definitions of marriage". (August 22, 2004). Wikipedia.com. Falk, PJ. (1989). "Lesbian Mothers: Psychosocial assumptions in family law ". American Psychologist. Vol. 44 (6). pp. 941-947. Golombok, S. and Taker, F. (1996). "Do parents influence the sexual orientation of their children Findings from a longitudinal study of lesbian families" Developmental Psychology. Vol. 31 (1). pp.3-11. "Homosexual Parents. 2002. "Homosexual" (2006) highered.mcgraw- "Heterosexual" (2006) http://www.google.co.nz/urlsa=X&start=2&oi=define&q=http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072986360/student_view0/chapter15/glossary.html&usg=__9k8Y4hUxjDD0b79Zt3_bdD41SOY Kurtz, Stanley. Beyond Gay Marriage. (August 11, 2003). The Weekly Standard. August 23, 2004. Patterson, C. (1992). "Children of lesbian and gay parents". Child Development. Vol. 63 (5). pp. 1025- 1042. Levitt, E. E., & Klassen, A. D., Jr. (1974). Public Attitudes toward homosexuality: Part of the 1970 national survey by the Institute for Sex Research. Journal of Homosexuality, 1, 29-43. "Mass Media". (2005). Rees, J. T., & Ushill, H. V. (1956). They stand apart: A critical survey of the problems of homosexuality. New York: Macmillan. Wolfson, Evan (2004). Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-6459-2. CURRICULUM VITA Text. Read More