Several Perspectives on Same-Sex Families - Term Paper Example

Running Head: Defining the Term Family Defining the Term Family with Same Sex Parents: A Sociological Study BY YOU YOUR ACADEMIC ORGANIZATION HERE RELEVANT INFO HERE DATE HERE Abstract Same sex parenting, today, is quite different from the experiences of homosexual parenting of yesteryear. Differing social attitudes, evolutions of what actually constitutes a quality family and even legislative changes have redefined the term family for individuals living in same sex family environments. This paper identifies several perspectives on same sex families in order to determine what specific values homosexual parents hold as well as social perceptions about children living in a household where both parents are of the same gender. Defining the Term Family with Same Sex Parents: A Sociological Study Introduction Long-existing social stereotypes about the same sex parent household have generally been quite negative, with individuals in society usually believing that gay and lesbian parents are ill-equipped to provide their children with adequate support. This support can be related to offering a set of appropriate family values to their children or assisting in positive identity formation in the youths. Though many of these stereotypes are based solely on social misconceptions about same sex parents, it does represent the historical struggles that this group has endured in the day-to-day process of raising children and enjoying a family lifestyle. However, evidence suggests that these social attitudes are changing and a new definition of family can be derived by the contemporary same sex parent environment. This paper attempts to create a redefinition of family for this social group by drawing off secondary research efforts. Issues in the Gay Parent Family Weiten & Lloyd (2005) suggest that same sex partners actually want the same elements of the traditional, nuclear couple including emotional support and physical closeness as a means to secure the importance of the relationship and fulfill various emotional needs. This would tend to illustrate that same sex couples value the emotional connectivity that a marriage provides and draw strength from their partner. Further, Henslin (2003) offers that the main struggles of the modern same sex household are housework, career, money, and problems with relatives, in many respects quite similar to the plight of the traditional heterosexual couple. It was highly important to illustrate the aspects of same sex partnering that make up the homosexually-oriented family structure in order to recognize the similarities between stereotypical viewpoints and the tangible reality of gay lifestyle. Understanding that gay men and women place significant value on the emotional support elements provided by same sex relationships should, by any sociological measure, categorize this somewhat disadvantaged group in similar proportion to that of the heterosexual couple in terms of overall family values. It is a likely assessment that many of these same sex parents will instill this same sense of emotional connectivity and thirst for mutual support to their children as a natural evolution of family togetherness. However, it would likely take empirical research in a case study approach of families in order to fully state that positive moral values will be instilled on youths raised in this environment. Additionally, several states, including Indiana, California and Pennsylvania, have been pushing for new legislation designed to support the right of homosexual couples to adopt children without discrimination (Padgett, 2007). Though many of these states are experiencing significant social opposition to the new laws protecting family rights of homosexual parents, it does tend to illustrate that the concept of this type of family structure is being engrained into the broader social consciousness. Hence, any new social conceptions about the acceptability of the same sex parent household are likely an evolution of visible public support for their rights as parents. Throughout history, gay couples were considered to be social deviants and a representation of everything non-spiritual, however as states begin to recognize that more and more homosexual couples were seeking adoption as a method of building a family unit, this attitude appears to be shifting, thus creating a new family definition for contemporary society. In California alone, over 70,000 same sex parents having children (Hawkins, 2007). This is a somewhat staggering number of people, which likely was the driving force behind the new legislation entitled the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) which makes the process of adopting easier for same sex couples. Hence, in this scenario, the redefinition of family occurs simply due to volumes where this disadvantaged group of people simply can no longer be ignored by society or government because their absolute influence is measurable demographically. The creation of such legislation like the UPA may be an indication that the new social belief about the definition of family simply occurred due to the ever-present existence of same sex parent households. Social attitudes about gay parent environments may also have occurred simply as an evolution of social policy formation. The prevalence of abandoned children across the country is widespread today, thus social agencies are having a difficult time placing children into stable homes (Henslin). As many same sex partners work multiple career positions, thus they are able to afford a relatively comfortable lifestyle, social agencies are forced to consider allowing same sex couples to provide this environment in the hopes of providing health and positive mental/social development. Hence, in this scenario, the definition of the same sex parent family becomes acceptable, albeit a last resort for ensuring the welfare of abandoned or exploited children. In many respects, all of the aforementioned examples of the redefinition of the same sex parent family merely illustrate that social attitudes are changing, somewhat regardless of the stimuli which drove them. Social concerns about this type of institution, however, still appear to maintain a very strong argument against labeling same sex parent environments as an actual family rather than some dysfunctional or unstable household. For instance, Galician (2004) suggests that cultural conditioning is a primary aspect of raising a child which assists in developing a child’s perception of the self and how they perceive others in society. Morris & Maisto (2005) support this notion by suggesting that it is during the formative years of childhood where a child develops a positive view of gender and then applies these lessons toward others they encounter. With this in mind, the argument brought up by opponents of same sex parent households is that gay people, due to their misconstrued viewpoints about gender roles, cannot provide a developing child with a positive social construction in terms of gender. Essentially, the child will likely develop dysfunctional viewpoints regarding gender which will subvert the child’s positive emotional development. It was quite crucial to illustrate the currently-existing social viewpoints of why the same sex parent household should not be labeled in the same respect as the traditional, nuclear family. There are many in society who still believe that gayness is a choice and is not bred through biological make-up, thus they believe that gay couples already have a distorted view of gender roles. Those who argue this suggest that such misconceptions will eventually transfer to the child when making developmental determinations about gender role and self-identity formation. In this social viewpoint, the gay parent household becomes one of social and gender dysfunction where the definition of family is one of misguided or ill-conceived values. Understanding that the existence of individuals in society who believe that gay parent families are dysfunctional or otherwise improper is crucial to defining the term family for these homosexually-oriented households. Some of the aforementioned research evidence indicated a very positive definition of the modern gay parent household, illustrating how social attitudes have shifted in a more positive direction. However, it would appear that the pace by which this definition becomes the social norm, it appears, is always halted by efforts from individuals in society who strongly believe that the outcomes to the child raised by these parents will be detrimental in the long-term. Hence, there does not appear to be a definitive or universal definition, at least not yet, of what constitutes the same sex parent household in terms of finding an appropriate family label. Corporate influence, also, appears to be changing the definition of the gay parent household. Raytheon, an enormous corporate entity selling cruise missiles and advanced technologies to the government, actively promotes the efforts of gay and lesbian parents by hosting major gay-themed organizations (Gunther, 2006). In the United States, most individuals maintain a large respect for corporations and are often influenced by their public relations efforts. Hence, any positive gains on redefining the gay parent family may be attributed to high-profile business taking an active role in promoting gay lifestyle. Though this would suggest that modern marketing efforts acted as the catalyst for social changes, however from the gay parent perspective, any gains toward closer identification with the traditional nuclear family would likely be considered positive momentum for their social group. Conclusion Redefining the term family for the gay parent household is considerably difficult, as the evidence has indicated that social beliefs regarding this institution vary widely. New definitions which spring from necessity, such as the need to place disadvantaged children into a stable home environment and running out of traditional nuclear families to place them in, appear to have given this group some momentum for their plight. Additionally, social attitude changes about this group which have stemmed from the influence of external entities, such as government agencies or corporate powerhouses, still have made gains on changing the social definition from dysfunctional to developed. Corporate efforts in this direction are likely using print literature to illustrate homosexual couples in real-life parenting scenarios so as to alter misconceptions with broader society about what drives lifestyle in these environments. Whatever the reasoning for the changes, clearly, in some respect, the term family for the same sex parent household is being changed as a matter of total social evolution. Though their own internal protests to argue their rights are likely a contributor to these changes, however it would appear that the new definition is growing ever-more positive. Based on all of the research evidence, it would seem that the best definition of the modern same sex parent family is one of nurturing and emotional support, thus making it much closer to the definition of the nuclear family everyday. References Galician, Mary-Lou. (2004). Sex, Love & Romance in the Mass Media: Analysis & Criticism of Unrealistic Protrayals & Their Influence. LEA Communication Series. NJ Erlbaum Associates, Inc. Hawkins, Jessica. (2007). “My Two Dads: Challenging Gender Stereotypes in Applying California’s Recent Supreme Court Cases to Gay Couples”. Family Law Quarterly. 41(3): 623-633. Henslin, James M. (2003). Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach. 6th ed. A&B Publishing. Morris, C. & Maisto, A. (2005). Psychology: An Introduction. 12th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall. Padgett, Tim. (2007). “Gay Family Values”. Time Magazine. New York, 170(3): 51. Weiten, W. & Lloyd, M. (2005). Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century. 7th ed. United States, Thomson Wadsworth: 208-209. Read More