Gay Parenting

[Crashtastic]

Whats your opinion on gay parenting? Do you believe homosexual couples should have the same rights as a parent that heterosexual ones would? What significant effects do you feel it would have on the child, if any at all? Yadda Yadda...

[zerocharisma!]

I have no problem with homosexual couples raising children per se. I do believe, however, that it is extremely beneficial for children to have at least one significant adult role model of each sex and that some effort should be made to expose the children to said role models.

[pansy]

i don't have a problem with it. seems like alot of heteros are afraid gays will abuse their kids sexually, i guess because they consider gays to be sex perverts. but hetero parents sexually abuse their children all the time, and no one questions the right of a hetero to be a parent - so people who are paranoid about gay parents sexually abusing kids are just ignoring the facts. the studies i've seen so far indicate that gays can and do form lasting bonds and relationships and make good parents. there are also studies that indicate that being raised by gay parents has no effect on the sexual orientation of the children, or their psychosocial well-being.

[shypsychologyguy]

Ive heard studies reflecting that gays make good parents. I havent heard any studies arguing otherwise, perhaps because that would not be politically correct or my liberal proffesours decided not to cite them.

I can see how children raised by gay and lesbian parents would have difficulty.

I tend to think it does not matter as long as the context and what is communicated to the child is love and nurturance .

I will not state my moral belief however.

[pnoopiepnats]

I don't think it really matters. Parenting is an equal screw up opportunity ;D

[Bodhi]

I think it is fine and they should have the same rights as heterosexual parents. Of course I'm sure it would be hard on the kids in certain ways, such as explaining to other kids their parents. But that doesn't negate the fact they have two loving parents to take care of them. Some are adopted and would not have a real family otherwise, so why deny them that opportunity. I think most gay parents would be very good parents just for the fact they almost always want the children and go out of there way to get the children. A gay couple doesn't accidently get pregnant, so the kids are almost always wanted.

[Buzzz]

Why are religious conservatives so against homosexuality? Who has fewer abortions than gays?

[shytothebone]

I really don't believe in it. I don't have nothing against two capable people raising a child but having one adult role model of each sex (parents) is the more natural explanation. I think if a child was raised by two gay parents things could get very conflicting when you see a majority of other families around you are not the same as your own. This could lead to that child to making decisions it might regret later in life not to say that that child wouldn't grow up and be very successful and have a loving family of their own. Very complicated situation and I'm glad I didn't have to deal with it and hopefully wont in the future.

[GreenFerret]

There are so many crap parents out there, I don't think anyone should be denied the right to raise a child together solely on the basis of an innocuos thing like choosing a same-sex partner. The kid might get teased if some other kid's idiot parents gave them the message that it was ok to look down on that sort of family--but the kid could just as easily get teased for having a crappy last name or buck teeth or a dad with a beer belly poking out from under his shirts.

There are far more irresponsible parenting moves than "being gay" that aren't under any sort of regulation.

[Richard Cunningham]

Are gays less likely to preach hate to their kids?

I love gays!!!!!

[Paulinus]

I dont have a problem with it, I dont think it has any bearing on ability to raise a child.

The only real issue in my mind is the problems in dealing with other parents/children who are less accepting of the idea, but I dont think we should let these people win by not allowing it because of that.

[Tal]

yeah, generally agree with the sentiment that in itself, gay parenting is not a problem. To be honest, homosexuals are often seen as less aggressive, so they'd be good at parenting, where patience is a virtue I imagine. A lesbian relationship where there's two individuals with maternal instincts can't be bad either.

My only worry if for the children, who might be bullied because of their parent's sexuality. I guess new ideas are usually difficult to implement at first though...gotta start somewhere and accept the initial negative consequences.

I'm not sure on the role model issue. I mean I can't imagine not having heterosexual parents, but I guess if you experienced nothing else than same-sex parents, you'd be used to it.

[MrNice]

I'd think that there would be somewhat of an issue when two guys raise a girl or two girls raise a guy.
There was a study that claimed that small children only need to be with their parents up until about the age of 4 - after that the children can grow up within the group of peers and parents are not necessary at all.

[Bodhi]

lsdima said:

I'd think that there would be somewhat of an issue when two guys raise a girl or two girls raise a guy.

That might be an issue but it happens all the time with single parents. Look at all the single mothers out there that are raising boys by themselves since the father left. I think then if you want a role model that is the same sex for these situations you can expose the kid to other family members(aunts, uncles, grandparents) or family friends. It is not really a big issue in my book, and not enough to ban gays from having kids.

[Samantha]

I am yet to hear one good reason why a gay couple shouldn't have kids. Kids go through wars, famine, natural disasters the world over and get through it. Kids become orphaned, get abused, have gentic diseases etc. If kids can get through all that, having two parents who love them is hardly going to mess them up too badly.

As for the bullying from other kids, well then since the opponents recognise that as a problem, maybe they should change their ways and not teach their kids to hate people who are different.

shytothebone said:

This could lead to that child to making decisions it might regret later in life not to say that that child wouldn't grow up and be very successful and have a loving family of their own.

Decisions like what?