Gay adoption
Why did I choose this topic?
When I first heard about gay adoption on TV I started asking myself: « Is it really a good thing for kids to have 2 fathers or 2 mothers instead of a father and a mother? » I was against the idea. Then I heard plausible pro-arguments and I started being confused. I wanted to make up my mind I started thinking thoroughly over the topic.
Where is adoption by gay couples legal?
Adoption by same-sex couples is legal in Guam, Andorra, Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and some parts of Australia, Canada and the United States. In Denmark, Germany, Israel and Norway "stepchild-adoption" is permitted, (the partner in a civil union can adopt the natural (or sometimes even adopted) child of his or her partner). In the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Hungary and some other countries, there is a universal adoption policy, meaning anyone judged to be capable of providing a healthy stable family home, whether straight, LGBT, married, single, cohabiting or unmarried, may apply for adoption.
Thousands of orphans suffering from lack of affection
Main problems that orphans suffer from:
The "foster care shuffle": they are moved from temporary home to temporary home.
increased emotional problems
delinquency
substance abuse
academic problems
There simply are not enough married mothers and fathers who are interested in adoption and foster care. Our adoption and foster care policies must deal with reality, or these children will never have stable and loving homes.
Children of gay parents is not a new fact
In the United States alone, more than 10 million people have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender parent(s).
http://www.colage.org/
In the 2000 U. S. Census, 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex couple households reported at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home.
Co-parent/second-parent adoption: social security for the children
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says children who are born to, or adopted by, one member of a gay or lesbian couple deserve the security of two legally recognized parents.
According to the policy statement, coparent or second-parent adoption in a same-sex relationship provides for the following:
* Guarantees that the second parent's custody rights will be protected if the first parent falls ill or dies.
* Protects the second parent's rights to custody and visitation if the couple separates.
* Establishes the requirement for child support from both parents in the event of the parents' separation.
* Creates the basis for financial security for children by ensuring eligibility to all appropriate entitlements, such as Social Security survivors benefits.
No more trouble than children raised by straight parents
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, “there is no evidence that suggests that homosexuals are not good parents, nor evidence that shows that children of gay parents are less intelligent, suffer more problems or have low self-esteem.”
According to the American Psychological Association Policy Statement on Sexual Orientation, Parents, & Children, "there is no reliable evidence that homosexual orientation impairs psychological functioning."
And
" Not a single study has found children of gay or lesbian parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents," and concluded that "home environments provided by gay and lesbian parents are as likely as those provided by heterosexual parents to support and enable children's psychosocial growth."
A very rigourous screening process
Like straight couples, gay couples have to undergo extensive home visits and interviews. It is designed to screen out those individuals who are not qualified to adopt or be foster parents, for whatever reason.
It doesn’t influence the child’s sexual orientation
All of the available evidence demonstrates that the sexual orientation of parents has no impact on the sexual orientation of their children and that children of lesbian and gay parents are no more likely than any other child to grow up to be gay.
Straight couples can be the parents of gay children and gay couples can be the parents of straight children.
Homosexuality doesn’t mean pedophilia or perversion
Pedophilia is not something exclusive to homosexuals. Children are equally likely to be molested by heterosexual adults, in fact "ninety percent of child abuse is commited by heterosexual men."
The argument that these children will be teased is not valid
All children are subject to be harassed by peers, not only children of gay families. Children make fun of other children for all kinds of reasons: for being too short or too tall, for being too thin or too fat, for being of a different race or religion or speaking a different language.
The argument that gay couples are not stable is false
Prejudice: Gay people often change mates.
Like other adults the majority of lesbians and gay men are in stable committed relationships.
Like staight couples their relationships may know ups and downs.
Children need a father and a mother
Therefore should we oblige single women with a child to find a mate or widows and widowers to remarry for their children?
