 |
|
|
|
There are lots of preconceived notions and misinformation about gay parenting. Separate fact from fiction with the findings below.
|
 |
Gay parents raise gay kids.
|
|
 |
In the few studies conducted on the sexuality of gay parents and their children, there has been no evidence to suggest that the sexual orientation of adoptive or birth parents affects the sexuality of their children.
|
|
|
Children of gay parents have more problems.
|
|
|
According to a report by the American Psychological Association, not a single study (out of nearly 50) has found children of gay or lesbian parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect compared to children of heterosexual parents. All evidence to date suggests that gay and lesbian homes are as likely as heterosexual homes to support and enable children's psychosocial growth.
|
|
|
Gay men are more likely to sexually abuse children.
|
|
|
Every study on sexual abuse, by diverse organizations that range from the Connecticut Correctional Institute to the Child Welfare League of America, reports that there is no connection between child abusers and sexual orientation.
|
|
|
Most social worker organizations say gay parents shouldn’t adopt.
|
|
|
The Child Welfare League of America, the North American Council on Adoptable Children and the National Association of Social Workers all support evaluating gay and lesbian applicants for adoption using the same criteria as heterosexual applicants.
|
|
|
Gay people don’t want to have families.
|
|
|
An estimated four million gay men and lesbians are raising eight to ten million children in the United States. In a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 49 percent of gay people who were not parents said they would like to have children someday.
|
|
|
|
|
