Gays and Lesbians Raising Children - Case Study Example

MORAL ISSUE IN SOCIETY Topic: Gays and lesbians raising children I. Introduction The 21st century has brought with itself a lot of controversial issues. The increased media awareness has not failed to attract a great deal of attention to these significant matters of concern, so that the people residing in other countries, belonging to other cultures and facing other issues, know the pros and cons of the issues faced by the other side of the world. One of the most heated ongoing debates that have attracted an immense amount of media coverage in the past few years is about the marriage and adoption rights of gays and lesbians. This issue is made even more complex as same-sex marriage is only allowed in seven countries up till now. The issue of same-sex marriage is contested fiercely by many individuals and groups, so their rights to adopting children are even more vague and uncertain. Advocators of human rights believe that they should even extend to homosexuals but when it comes to marriage, individuals tend to view the issue dubiously. Much of the criticism and fierce opposition to same-sex marriage is also due to a lot of misunderstanding on the general public’s part who believe that same-sex relationships are bound to fail, are shallow and not as true as other opposite-sex relationships. The same-sex relationships are considered immoral and wrong by most of the masses in the world today so their having adoption rights to children is quite unimaginable. However, the question that arises is “Should same-sex relationships be given the right to adopt?” II. Significance The significance of this research question revolves around the fact that more and more same-sex couples are opting to adopt children. It remains to be determined whether they have the right to do so and if they do adopt, what will be the pros and cons of the situations on the adopted children and on the society as a whole. As an individual belonging to a society that is a host to a variety of people, one ought to be interested in the outcomes of the issue as it will have huge social implications. According to the Journal of Homosexuality (Harris, M.B., Turner, 1985), a survey of 23 male and female homosexual parents and 16 heterosexual single parents was conducted to determine whether the parents’ homosexuality created unusual problems or benefits or both, for their children. Both sets of parents reported relatively few serious problems and generally positive relationships with their children. Heterosexual parents made a greater effort to provide an opposite-sex role model for their children. Homosexual parents saw a number of benefits and fewer problematic issues for their children, with females gaining greater benefits than males. Another survey mentioned in “Educational and Child Psychology” (Barrett, H., Tasker, 2001) determined how it was growing up like with a gay parent. It conducted surveys on one hundred and one gay and bisexual parents, who were between the age of 25 and 75 and residing in the United Kingdom and Eire. They gave information about their pattern towards parenting, their parent’s participation with parenting, the challenges overcome and the successes achieved, and the responses and opinions of their eldest sons’ and daughters’ about growing up with a gay parent. Results confirmed that growing up with gay and bisexual parents led to more diversity and the same-sex couples were more able to deal with common parenting problems. These surveys highlight the fact that giving adoption rights to same-sex couples may not be such an unfavorable idea after all. It states that same-sex couples do not face unusual problems and might even have more advantages and benefits than an opposite-sex couple. Such findings and surveys are important as they provide empirical evidence on whether same-sex couple can fulfill the duties of parenthood or not. III. Definitions Many people confuse between the terms “bisexuality”, “transgender”, “transsexuality”, “lesbian” and “gays”. Bisexuality is defined as a sexual orientation which is concerned with the romantic and/or sexual attraction of individuals to other individuals of both their own and opposite gender or sex. Mostly, bisexuals do not have an equal attraction to men and women. Heterosexuality in contrast, is a sexual or a romantic attraction between opposite sexes and is considered to be the “normal” sexual orientation among human beings. Transgender is a term related to an individual’s gender identity which is not according to one’s assigned gender. It does not refer to any form of sexual orientation as transgender people may be heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual or asexual. Lesbians, whereas, are women who are romantically and sexually attracted only by women. Women who are attracted to both men and women are bisexuals. The term “gay” is also referred to homosexual people but regardless of their sex. Lesbians can only be women, whereas, gays be can referred to both men and women on the basis of their bisexuality. IV. Scope/Secondary Issues The topic will be covering whether it is right for same-sex couples to adopt children. It will mention that if the same-sex couples are granted the adopting rights, how it will benefit the children, them and the society in general. The negative effects or the problems faced in raising children by same-sex couples will also be highlighted. The difference in the upbringing of children by heterosexual parents and same-sex parents will be slightly touched upon. The views of people supporting the adoption rights of same-sex parents will be given with their reasons. The opposing opinions and perceptions of people will be pointed out to give a balanced view of the issue. The values of equality, honesty and loyalty will be emphasized. V. History and Background Systematic research comparing lesbian and gay adults to heterosexual adults began in the late 1950s, and research comparing children of lesbian and gay parents with those of heterosexual parents is of a more recent era. Research resulted in the declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973. Case reports on children of lesbian and gay parents appeared in the psychiatric literature in the early 1970s.Systematic research on the children of lesbian and gay parents began to appear in major professional journals in the late 1970s and have grown into a considerable body of research only in recent years. The controversy surrounding the adoption rights of same-sex couples revolves around the concern that whether it will result in negative implications for the adopted children. People assume that adoption by same-sex couples may lead to gender confusion, biased sexual orientation or may affect the overall well-being of the children. Research has, however, shown that parents’ sexual orientation has no impact on that of children, and there is hardly any difference in the behaviour of the adopted children with that of others. The American Psychological Association, Child Welfare League of America, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many other relevant professional organizations believe that same-sex parents should be recognized as heterosexuals. Criticisms continue to appear and people who do not support same-sex parenting believe that it is unhealthy on the basis of moral and cultural grounds. Restricting gays and lesbians from adopting children could cost the United States between $ 87 million and $130 million per year, according to a study by UCLA Law School’s William Institute. Some sex-couple are already opting to adopt children without having the legal status of being the non-biological parent. While some people believe that this can stabilize the existing situation and benefit it, others simply believe that this practice could have adverse affects on the adopted children and so should be rightfully discouraged. More than fifty percent of the United States adoption agencies allow same-sex couples to adopt while around forty percent of these agencies have already let gay and lesbian parents adopt the children. California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia allow adoption rights to same sex parents through their legislation or the court’s decision. Florida is the only state that clearly disallows adoption by gays, lesbians and same-sex couples because of its law drawn up in 1977, on the influence of Anita Bryant who led a campaign against the adoption by same-sex couples and she convinced the state they are child molesters. Following this, a ban was imposed on adoptions by same sex people. It has been contested many times but has always been overruled in Florida. VI. Parties to the Controversy Despite the controversies and uncertainty about the parenting implications of same-sex parents on the adopted children, many people believe that they should be given the right just like any other individuals as it justifies the concept of equality. Countless children in many countries are homeless and waiting to be adopted so that they can have access to the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing. Some children face a lot of challenges surviving in foster homes. Self-harm and suicidal attempts are common in such children who are likely to face a lot of mental and physical challenges from an early age. Judging by the despairing situation in many countries, it is only fair that same-sex individuals be given the right to adopt as they will be providing homes to so many children and will also reduce the costs of the government. Secondly, it is stated by most children do not live with two married parents and either live with a married mother or a father. They are already missing the love of a father or mother from their lives. Children adopted by same-sex couples do not do worse than these children, either emotionally or socially. Moreover, studies have shown that children are more influenced by their interaction with parents rather than with their sexual orientation, so same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt. Findings have even shown that same-sex couples sometimes fare well than heterosexual couples while overcoming parenting challenges. The effect of their sexual orientation on the adopted children is close to negligible. Besides, there is no legal reason for depriving same-sex couples from having adoption rights. In contrast, it is argued that same-sex couples may have adverse effects on children and may not instill the right ethical and moral values in the adopted children. The children are likely to get influenced by the sexual orientation of their parents and adopt such behaviors in the future. The adopted children are likely to face a lot of challenges as they will have either a mother or a father missing from their lives. People say that it’s far better for children to be brought up in a home with a married father and mother. Otherwise, children are likely to be socially ridiculed, underestimated or prejudiced against. Besides, as advocated by Anita Bryant, many people still continue to believe that same-sex couples are criminal minded and are child-molesters. Considering this belief, many parties still think that it’s better to disallow adoption rights to same-sex couples. It is also stated, that children will have confusion about their gender identity when they grow up, and are likely adopt behavior that is not characteristic of their own gender. It is also claimed that children adopted by homosexual parents are likely to face more psychological problems and are more likely to be unhealthy and vulnerable to mental breakdowns. They will face problems in social relationships and will be unsure about their role. VII. Position Thesis and Justification/Defense of Your Position It is morally write for homosexual people to adopt children as research suggests that children of lesbian or gay parents build up positive and healthy relationships with the people around them and people of opposite sex. There have been no research findings that have confirmed the fears of the people who do not support the having of adoption rights by homosexual people. VIII. . Conclusion According to the researches and studies carried out which prove that there is no unhealthy affect on children of being adopted by same sex parents confirms that homosexual people should be allowed to adopt children, as it will not only provide homes to homeless and unwanted children but will also reduce the costs of the government spent on foster homes. Works Cited Barrett, H., & Tasker, F. Educational and Child Psychology, 18, 62-77. 2001 Harris, M. B., & Turner, P. H.) Gay and lesbian parents. Journal of Homosexuality, 12, 101-113. 1985/6. Herring, Jonathan. Family Law issues, Debates and Policy. 2001. Patterson, Charlotte J. Lesbian and gay parenting. . Peddicord, Richard. Gays and Lesbian Rights. 2001 Read More