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The authors found that children raised by lesbian mothers — whether the mother was partnered or single — scored very similarly to children raised by heterosexual parents on measures of development and social behavior. These findings were expected, the authors said; however, they were surprised to discover that children in lesbian homes scored higher than kids in straight families on some psychological measures of self-esteem and confidence, did better academically and were less likely to have behavioral problems, such as rule-breaking and aggression.
Study: Lesbian Parents Raise Better-Behaved Kids
Seeded on Mon Jun 7, 2010 3:24 PM EDT
Article Source: TIME- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (6)
"We simply expected to find no difference in psychological adjustment between adolescents reared in lesbian families and the normative sample of age-matched controls," says Gartrell. "I was surprised to find that on some measures we found higher levels of [psychological] competency and lower levels of behavioral problems. It wasn't something I anticipated."
In addition, children in same-sex-parent families whose mothers ended up separating did as well as children in lesbian families in which the moms stayed together.
- 7 votes
#1 - Mon Jun 7, 2010 3:25 PM EDTMaybe part of it is how trying conform to someone else's version of "normal" contributes to maladjustment. I would think that if the starting-point of "normal" is broader, there's a lot more room for love and acceptance and a lot less reason for fear and fighting. How many lesbian parents ever freaked out and disowned their kids for being "coming out" as straight, for instance? ;-)
- 7 votes
#2 - Mon Jun 7, 2010 4:02 PM EDTUnfortunately this study will have no impact upon Christians in general. It will simply be classified under the (Gay Agenda Conspiracy)
- 1 vote
#3 - Mon Jun 7, 2010 10:46 PM EDTYToo true, but it should validate lesbian mothers. It is important to have sources of validation when you are on the outside of the so-called "norm." I know. I've been there when I filed for divorce in an era when women were not supposed to do that and were actively shunned for daring to be a single mother.
- 3 votes
I know a lot of gay and lesbian couples that have children and their kids are bright, happy and well adjusted. I believe that one reason for this is because the decision to have children was, for them, a decision. They were ready. They wanted to raise a child and give that child a good home, love, support and an education. These children were not accidents. They were planned at a time when the parents were ready, both emotionally and financially. I believe in my heart that anyone can make a family for a child if they are willing to provide that child with what they need to grow up and be a loving, caring member of society. Family is no longer just a man and a woman. There are many types of families. Children don't care. They just want love, support, understanding, play time and someone to help them in times of doubt and trouble. What I don't understand is how any state could ban gay and lesbian couples from adoption but then allow children to go back into the homes of parents who are using drugs and running a meth lab. Gender has nothing to do with being able to raise a child.
- 3 votes
#4 - Tue Jun 8, 2010 3:53 AM EDTWell said. I agree. Part of their success has to be because they planned for parenthood and really wanted to be parents. Stats show that kids are more likely to be abused or neglected in homes where they were not wanted.
Part of it is probably because they are more aware of dysfunctional behavior. Those who are pushed to the outside usually are. They know how much certain things create harm, so they avoid them.
- 3 votes
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