Children of lesbians better behaved
Children of lesbian couples 'have fewer behaviour problems'
By Jessica Geen • June 8, 2010 - 10:59
A 17-year study into families headed by lesbian parents has found that their children have fewer behavioural problems, get better results and are more psychologically sound than children brought up by straight parents.
Researchers at the University of California followed 78 children born to lesbian mothers from birth to the age of 17.
They also found the children were less likely than those with straight parents to behave aggressively or break rules.
The mothers were asked to rate their children on their behaviour, aggression and school marks, while the teenagers were rated with the Child Behavior Checklist, a standardised assessment. Each teenager also filled out an internet-based psychological questionnaire.
Study leader Nanette Gartrell said: "Contrary to assertions from people opposed to same-sex parenting, we found that the 17-year-olds scored higher in psychological adjustment in areas of competency and lower in problem behaviours than the normative age-matched sample of kids raised in traditional families with a mum and a dad."
"These are not accidental children," she told WebMD Health News. "The mums tended to be older and attended parenting classes. They were very involved in the process of education [for their children]."
"They anticipated their kids would experience stigmatisation."
The study did find that children who experienced homophobia had higher levels of depression and anxiety.
Knowing their biological father made no impact on children's happiness and behaviour.
A number of previous studies have found that children of gay and lesbian parents are as happy, or happier, than their peers brought up by straight parents.
Last year, a study of 1,384 couples, 155 of whom were gay, found that as parents, their sexuality made "no significant difference" on the levels of emotional problems experienced by their children.
The Adoption and Children Act, which came into force in December 2005, gave gay couples and unmarried straight couples the right to jointly adopt children.
Lesbians undergoing IVF treatment can now record their partner as the second parent on the birth certificate.
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/06/08/children-of-lesbian-couples-have-fe...
Well I think it goes to show there's not much interest in funding these sorts of studies.
yea, I don't think 78 families is a great representation even in the US alone, when it is supposed to represent a spread of 10 million , let alone the rest of the world.
Okie doke, so I guess if there was plenty to choose from the issue was funding, or just the logistics of following more people.
Ok, I found a link on some same sex parents . Dunno how reliable it is though -
http://adoption.about.com/od/gaylesbian/f/gayparents.htm
why children be damned to have both male or female parents when they can perfectly have one from each sex?
I'm not sure deepb, I'd have to look it up.
I agree with Mehnis & WK, it's a reflection of the relationship of the parents, regardless their sex. I just like to see that studies are showing that same sex parents can raise perfectly healthy and well adapted kids.
I didn't read the comments so don't know if anyone mentioned it but I just think that homosexual parents try that much harder at being good parents than others as still the majority of the society wants to see them fail. They care that much more for their kids and hence the results.
watch The Back-Up Plan starring Jennifer Lopez and you guys will know how lesbians got to have babies!!!
It is absolutely not right to say the 'all' the children of same sex parents are well behaved. In this case the so called research is selective. It has to look at the behavioral patterns and the relationship of the people who raised these well behaved kids.
There could be incidents where the children of such same sex people could turn out to be as violent and aggressive as of other normal parents with lots of difficulties in their relationship.
Normally a child has better care, inculcation of values, good education, is progressive and grows into a complete compassionate human when the parents relationship is serene and good. Exceptions of course are there for everything.
I believe it says 2005 was adoption rights.
Mehnis - I agree with you 100%. Like parents...like children or something.
Children raised in an atmosphere of constant bickering and fighting tend to become a bit more aggressive with extreme passions. Whereas there are children who are brought up in a relative calm atmosphere are seen to be thoughtful, attentive and responsible, though there are a few exceptions here too.
The main reason these kids brought up by same sex partners have less behavioral issues is because they are just a reflection of the relationship quality of the persons who raise them./
It says in the article it was only legalized in 2005.
Correct me if I'm wrong olive, but I believe same sex parenting was legalized in California around 1976? Why would 17 year olds be a rarity in this case? I believe I've seen figures indicating nearly 10 million children being raised by same-sex parents in the US alone.
Acadian, your correct.. and the fact is child's attitude is molded according to his genetical background and environment.
For me they are not normal, contrary to what the research is trying to project, as they lack the necessary aggresion and the desire to break rules which is very normal and natural for the children of that age. I dont mean agression and tendency to break rules should be construed as turning into a terrorist or breaking someones head...:)
Will also agree with second post of FU...:)
It sound like this article is trying to justify a lifestyle more than anything else. There is good and bad parenting in all kinds of people. We can find all kind of studies or articles that favor whatever cause you try to crusade for.
Oh bugger, my bad it is from the US. The website is in the UK :P
There are a lot but perhaps not with children in their late teens deepb
This study is from the UK deepb, not the US.
Olive, I think your severely underestimating the number of same sex parents in the US or for that matter the state of California even.
As I said earlier,it shouldn't really matter if they are gays/lesbians etc. as long as they have proper attitude towards their kids. Womne have an advantage in this probably because they are more caring by nature. Men tend to be protective and caring too but it's a bit different with women.
Well you have to consider that same sex parenting is still relatively new in many countries. I'm surprised they even found 78 17 year olds raised by two Moms.
Like most research these days, 78 cases hardly seem to be indicative of the general population and conclusions drawn from such a research is hardly worthy of much speculation.
thnx Olive
for making my day with a huge laugh :P
Perhaps, guess we'll have to wait to see the results. Although my mother's best friends son is 30 and he was raised by two women and he doesn't seem to have any issues. Granted his two mom's were in the military.
I meant that this article/research is trying to 'break' the common perception that gays/lesbians are inadequate. Sorry about the that
..not only proper care but also good discipline, and good example from the parents.
True, fathers do tend to be overprotective of the daughters. My opinion would probably be applicable in the case of sons only I guess. Since women, are aware of the problems their daughters will face, they can prepare them for it. But for a son, it will be hard to be prepared with two mothers being overprotective and no male role model to look up to.
LOL!
I think it's saying that lesbian and gay parents aren't inadequate FU.
May be because with a male at home, they learn to be aggressive and ill behaved like them and in lesbian household they become as calm as females. :-)
Depends if the child is male or female in regards to over protectiveness. Men tend to be very protective of their daughters.
My comment on this is - Lesbians or straight parents will not matter as long as they are able to give proper care and learning.
This piece from pinknews seems to be targeted in favour of the common perception that lesbian/gay parents are inadequate.
Cause male parent's don't tend to be overprotective in most cases.
and this is their conclusion! OMG!
Why would having a male parent make them anymore aware of the cruelty in the world? Frankly I would say having gay parents would make you more aware of how cruel people can be.
Two female parents may make for children being happier in their teens, but they will be certainly end up being not ready for the cruelty that the world has to offer when they reach adulthood without the guidance of a male parent.
Seriously, that's your guys comments on this?
ME too having the same question ?
How can Lesbos have babies ? :(
how how
How can lesbians have babies? I'am trying to understand Olive.
Oh ok...got it!