"Being a lesbian, and openly, I feel the only thing the gay community is guilty of is demanding respect,equality, and acceptance." -- Avynn Stanley
Good parenting is not influenced by sexual orientation. Rather, it is influenced most profoundly by a parent's ability to create a loving and nurturing home,an ability that does not depend on whether a parent is gay or straight. There is no evidence to suggest that the children of lesbian and gay parents are less intelligent, suffer from more problems, or have lower self-esteem than children of heterosexual parents,indicating that children with same sex parents are in fact, at no disadvantage compared to children raised by heterosexual parents.
Same sex couples have found multiple ways to create families of their own, even if it is not seen as ¨socially acceptable.¨ They have turned to ways such as adoption,artificial insemination, and fostering children. When we talk about lesbian and gay couples and the topic of parenting, people all around the world form their own opinions causing a lot of controversy. There is no evidence to suggest that lesbians and gay men are unfit to be parents. In fact,home environments with lesbian and gay parents are as likely to successfully support a child's development as those with heterosexual parents (ACLU).
The main concern that people seem to have with parents of the same sex, specifically lesbian parents, is that lesbian women do not possess the same maternal instincts as heterosexual women which dismisses the fact that the majority of lesbian couples use artificial insemination making the child biologically connected to at least one mother. It is not proven for heterosexual women and lesbian women to differ in the ways they interact with children. In fact, it has been shown that lesbian women seem to be more prepared when it comes to children and becoming parents, being that they had to wait for both legal consent and the mutual want for children.
Same-sex couples are less likely to conform to traditional gender roles, which can lead to a happier home. In heterosexual couples, there is often an existence of power play within the relationship, especially in parenting. The stereotypical role of a father is to be in charge and make the final decisions. As for mothers, they are suppose to be nurturers and show compassion if necessary. But, what if the child has two mothers? Two fathers? Those roles are quickly disregarded and to replace them, same sex couples create their own roles in which they share the responsibility that a heterosexual couple would split.
Homosexuality has been deemed a ¨sin¨ and a ¨psychological disorder¨ that young children should not be exposed to. The stereotype that gay people are pedophiles has been around for ages which contributes to the single story about gay people, and what it means to be gay. The attraction to the same sex has nothing to do with being a predator. Society worries about the well being of children who have parents of the same sex, based solely on the slurs and stereotypes presented to them by everyone except people who are actually apart of the LGBTQ+ community.
Children who are raised with two fathers or two mothers do not grow up differently with those who are raised with both a mother and a father. Instead, their growth relies on the parenting style the couples choose to use, and the environment they create for their children. It would be safe to argue that children with same sex parents are actually exposed to a more diverse conversation which can be a good thing for their development. Instead of teaching them the heteronormative way of living from birth, gay couples allow their children to explore their sexuality, along with what they believe in and choose to fight for. Same sex couples tend to create households that are accepting and nurturing; stimulating the growth of their children and their inquisitive ways.
Aside from the concern that gay couples wouldn't be able to properly parent a child, there has been preconceived notions about the intent of gay people, and homosexuality itself. In my own personal experience, I have had countless encounters with homophobic people who try to explain the damage the gay community is doing to society. Being a lesbian, and openly, I feel the only thing the gay community is guilty of is demanding respect,equality, and acceptance. For years, gay people were not allowed to love who they love. Same sex couples were not allowed to get married, or adopt children. Now that those rights are no longer being treated as privileges (in most places), it is only fair that gay couples take full advantage of them. As a whole, the only way to erase the negative views on same sex couples, is to be aware. We have to talk about the importance of love and how love will stand taller than any untrue concern. Same sex couples have only one intention when considering the task of being parents,which is to be parents. Loving their child and raising them into decent human beings is what really matters— not sexual orientation.
Same sex couples have found multiple ways to create families of their own, even if it is not seen as ¨socially acceptable.¨ They have turned to ways such as adoption,artificial insemination, and fostering children. When we talk about lesbian and gay couples and the topic of parenting, people all around the world form their own opinions causing a lot of controversy. There is no evidence to suggest that lesbians and gay men are unfit to be parents. In fact,home environments with lesbian and gay parents are as likely to successfully support a child's development as those with heterosexual parents (ACLU).
The main concern that people seem to have with parents of the same sex, specifically lesbian parents, is that lesbian women do not possess the same maternal instincts as heterosexual women which dismisses the fact that the majority of lesbian couples use artificial insemination making the child biologically connected to at least one mother. It is not proven for heterosexual women and lesbian women to differ in the ways they interact with children. In fact, it has been shown that lesbian women seem to be more prepared when it comes to children and becoming parents, being that they had to wait for both legal consent and the mutual want for children.
Same-sex couples are less likely to conform to traditional gender roles, which can lead to a happier home. In heterosexual couples, there is often an existence of power play within the relationship, especially in parenting. The stereotypical role of a father is to be in charge and make the final decisions. As for mothers, they are suppose to be nurturers and show compassion if necessary. But, what if the child has two mothers? Two fathers? Those roles are quickly disregarded and to replace them, same sex couples create their own roles in which they share the responsibility that a heterosexual couple would split.
Homosexuality has been deemed a ¨sin¨ and a ¨psychological disorder¨ that young children should not be exposed to. The stereotype that gay people are pedophiles has been around for ages which contributes to the single story about gay people, and what it means to be gay. The attraction to the same sex has nothing to do with being a predator. Society worries about the well being of children who have parents of the same sex, based solely on the slurs and stereotypes presented to them by everyone except people who are actually apart of the LGBTQ+ community.
Children who are raised with two fathers or two mothers do not grow up differently with those who are raised with both a mother and a father. Instead, their growth relies on the parenting style the couples choose to use, and the environment they create for their children. It would be safe to argue that children with same sex parents are actually exposed to a more diverse conversation which can be a good thing for their development. Instead of teaching them the heteronormative way of living from birth, gay couples allow their children to explore their sexuality, along with what they believe in and choose to fight for. Same sex couples tend to create households that are accepting and nurturing; stimulating the growth of their children and their inquisitive ways.
Aside from the concern that gay couples wouldn't be able to properly parent a child, there has been preconceived notions about the intent of gay people, and homosexuality itself. In my own personal experience, I have had countless encounters with homophobic people who try to explain the damage the gay community is doing to society. Being a lesbian, and openly, I feel the only thing the gay community is guilty of is demanding respect,equality, and acceptance. For years, gay people were not allowed to love who they love. Same sex couples were not allowed to get married, or adopt children. Now that those rights are no longer being treated as privileges (in most places), it is only fair that gay couples take full advantage of them. As a whole, the only way to erase the negative views on same sex couples, is to be aware. We have to talk about the importance of love and how love will stand taller than any untrue concern. Same sex couples have only one intention when considering the task of being parents,which is to be parents. Loving their child and raising them into decent human beings is what really matters— not sexual orientation.
