Gay Adoption

Policy Problem

The policy that I reviewed and consist of a problem is the issue with the gay adoption policy or in the correct terms, known as LGBT adoption, which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender people. Currently the policy only allows Adoption by same-sex couples in Guam, Andorra, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and some parts of Canada and in the U.S., some states allow that a "step-child adoption is allowed." The main issue that the policy proposed and is considered very controversial for most people to accept is the concern regarding whether or not a same sex couple would show proper influence for the child's growth. With all the problems that the policy state and limit the rights to same sex parent, people tend to avoid the obvious and proven fact that all the issues addressed by the policy is not true. It is evident in many case studies and event to see that many of the problem such as gender roles, sexual orientation of children and the concerning fitness of parents have been proven false.

In a example, ", a survey by the Christian conservative Family Research Council claims that there is a correlation between homosexuality and pedophilia in men and that caution over the suitability of gay parents, in general, is justified" Yet the statistic and correlation given by the family research council fail to demonstrate the vast majority of the population but rather the population that corresponds to their special interest group. The research conducted by such a group is not independent and would hold biased review because they want the public to swing in their direction. Their claim can easily be countered by a similar research where "The American Civil Liberties Union's report on parenting by same-sex couples contradicts the Family Research Council's conclusions, stating that the vast majority of peer-reviewed sociological studies indicate that children raised in same-sex households are "relatively normal."" If you look at the outcome and result of parenting done by same sex couple versus the one done by a heterosexual couple, the result will show that there is usually no indication of abnormally outcome when it comes to the emotion, health, self-esteem, or preference of such children. Many notable research facilities and independent research groups such as the APA or the American Psychological Association would support the adoption by the same sex parent due to the fact that it is not a major issue that should be concerned with people.

When addressing to the policy's problem and the major controversy, people tend to argue with three different main points. The first of them is the argument considering the confusion of gender roles. The main concern and argument against same-sex couples question whether same-sex household would be able provide the children with the adequate amount for gender roles. The proposition of such a statement and argument is to state that without showing the proper gender roles, children in the future may and would not be able to withhold and develop in a way that they are unable to fulfill certain roles in traditional heterosexual relationships. However, it is important to realize that the problem or question proposed is merely an assumption that does not give any strong statistical research or proof. Studies from multiple groups such as APA have shown that children raised by lesbian couples behave in their normal sexual stereotypes. Another argument would arise by showing studies that children raised by single parent fare far worse then children raised by a two parent household. This argument is the primary source used by groups that oppose same sex adoption due to the fact that many criticize and claim that single parent fare far worse due to the fact of lack of gender role provided by both parents. Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and a strong opposer of same-sex parenting, states that "hundreds, if not thousands of articles and studies in the journals that show that children do best when you have a mother and a father providing role modeling for those kids and who are committed to each other." The problem with this statement is that this study can not be shown as a direct correlation. It can be simply stated that the cause of single parent to suffer far worse then two parenting is because the lack of supervision and work load that is provided by two people rather the gender role. It is not a clear effect or event to link two people case of same-sex adoption to the cause of single family. If there is a strong correlation and case studies that suggest that same-sex adoption causes children to suffer, then it would be more beneficial to show that research rather then showing a one person parenting and link it to gender role.

A second strong point that people tend to have major controversy over when it comes to same-sex adoption that affects the policy is the fact whether or not children raised by same-sex parent would turn into homosexuals themselves or have gender confusion. This argument and view is by far the most absurd and unproven statement out of all the argument proposed against same-sex parenting. It is evident to know that studies have show, a person's sexual orientation and preference depends on much indication that does not only circle around parenting. There are no studies at all to indicate that same-sex parenting will lead to a child's sexual orientation or confusion. It is also very same and interesting to state that in most cases, a person would find or identify themselves as gay from heterosexual parents. Many peer studies and research have found no indication at all linking the likelihood that a child would turn to a specific sexual orientation due to the effect of same-sex parenting. It is also very notable to say that the very base of this idea should be dejected due to how irrelevant and appalling it is to the people of the gay community. This indication strongly suggest that people are not accepting the LGBT community as a normal part of society where they are a second class citizen that does not deserve the same right as everyone else.

The third strong opposing argument against same-sex parenting comes from the concern of the fitness of parents. This means that opposes of same-sex marriage believe that same-sex couples are more prone to mental disorders so therefore same-sex adoption should not be permitted. An indication of the theory was given by Dr. George A. Rekers of the University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine.

Reporting the findings of 12-month prevalence, 36.8% of men having sex with men had a psychiatric disorder**, compared to 28.2% of men having sex with women. And 55.5% of women having sex with women had a psychiatric disorder compared with