This article presents findings from a study on children who were adopted by lesbian or gay parents from within the United States foster care system, as well as a survey from the adoptive parents. The article reviews the controversial issues facing gay and lesbian adoptive parents. The study lays adoption challenges side-by-side with the large number of children within the welfare system who need care. There are several amounts of hurdles prospective parents must face, including home studies, workshops and trainings. According to the study, even with the many obstacles, same-sex couples are four times more likely to adopt children than other-sex couples.
The article reviews the debates that have occurred pertaining to the social and emotional development of children with same-sex parents. The study found that children of same-sex parents tended to develop through stages the same as anyone else. The article discusses parental influence on sexual orientation. One study found that virtually all adult children of lesbian mothers, single heterosexual mothers, and two-parent heterosexual couples identified as heterosexual, with no significant differences by family type. In another study of lesbian mothers and their 78 adolescent children, the study found that teenage daughters of lesbian mothers were more likely to have reported engaging in same-sex behavior and identify as bisexual as compared with samples of same-age peers.
The article also examined the number of times children experienced teasing, bullying or other forms of harassment. Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents in the US with female same-sex parents and a demographically matched sample of adolescents with heterosexual parents, the study found no significant group differences in peer relationships or reports of victimization. Another study noted that school-age children with lesbian and gay parents revealed that a majority experienced a series of micro-aggressions. Overall studies have determined that children adopted by sexual minority parents are generally thriving and parental sexual orientation is not strongly associated with adopted children’s outcomes. When asked to note negative experiences of having gay parents, the most frequently reported theme was being teased and bullied by peers at school. Some stated how emotionally challenging it was to watch gay peers being bullied, and others reported extra levels of scrutiny during gay political issues.
The article points out that sample sizes were small, and considerations should be made when referencing these studies. The findings reinforce research that children with lesbian and gay parents describe positive life experiences and are not unduly disadvantaged as a result of having sexual minority parents. The study also finds that children adopted by lesbian or gay parents may experience bullying and teasing that is different from other children’s experiences. Additionally, the studies show that children adopted by lesbian or gay parents often feel that they are more empathetic of others, and they carry a distinctive degree of compassion.