GAYS IN USA

Introduction

Change is inevitable, and every society evolves with time in different aspects. The family is an important aspect of society as it is the core that holds members together. The traditional definition of family informs that one man and one woman should come together and raise children. This concept of the ideal family has evolved to include other issues, some that may have been unimaginable twenty years ago. The emergence of the gay in society has triggered the thinking on embracing gay households. Different scholars have engaged research to determine whether there are differences between children with same-sex parents and those with heterosexual parents. While homosexual practice is legal in various US states, it is important to examine the impact of the same on children adopted in this union. This paper seeks to address the impact of same-sex parenthood of children development.

Problem Statement

In this ever-changing society, new ideas that deviate from the traditional norms and rules are inevitable. Marriage is one of the important concepts of society that is as controversial as it can get. Another problem that has hit the US is the growing numbers of destitute and homeless children. With the evolution of homosexuality, there has come up an increase in adoption rates. Partners in gay marriages have decided to open up their homes for children and give them an identity. While many may not support homosexuality, it is important to investigate the impact of these families to society regarding children. The result on growth and development of kids should be a priority in determining whether or not gay spouses should adopt children.

Literature review

The US Census Bureau indicates that about quarter a million children in the country are from same-sex parents’ families. These children range from 2 to 14 years old (Groeninger, 2012). However, there are discrepancies between these figures due to several factors. Firstly, the law does not require one to specify their living situation as it prohibits against direct questions on a person’s sexual orientation. Secondly, most of the same-sex parents (either one or both) raising children were previously heterosexuals and so these children may be in the above approximations.

Earlier critics of same-sex marriages and parenting argued that gay parenting could impact on a child’s development especially regarding gender conceptions. The point was that these children would be in a dilemma and ultimate gender confusion, a fact that could disrupt societal norms and roles. Studies conducted involved placing younger children (participants) in a room with gendered toys and observed their favorites. Other studies involved interviewing parents on the type of toys their children played with (Robaitaille and Saint-Jacques, 2009). Consistent results showed that there was no difference regarding gender role behavior between children from heterosexual households and those from same-sex families. The observation was that gender perceptions are not necessarily molded by the sexual orientation of parents, but by liberal attitudes of the parents.

Robitaille and Saint-Jacques conducted a qualitative study on young adults’ perception of their parents’ orientation. The study demonstrated that initially, young adults from gay families may not be comfortable with disclosing their parents’ homosexuality initially (Robaitaille and Saint-Jacques, 2009). However, as they get older, they are capable of handling the societal negativity in the opinion that comes with homosexuality. The young adults revealed that during their younger years, they developed strategies to hide this family secret (Robaitaille and Saint-Jacques, 2009).

A study conducted in 2011 included 776 interviews of adoptive parents. The study demonstrated differences in attitude regarding three categories of parents- married mothers, married fathers, and single mothers. The study’s intention was to stipulate their perception on gay adoption of children. There were varied factors that determined their negativity on gay adoption. Most of their views were influenced by conservative political ideology, low levels of education and religious background (Averette, Strong-Blakeney, Nalavany & Ryan, 2011). Timothy Biblarz and Judith Stacey, researchers from the University of Southern California, observed that according to 21 studies conducted, there are no differences regarding parenting between heterosexual and homosexual families.  Further, they stipulate that children from gay parents do not present any difference on issues of self-esteem, social performance, depression, anxiety or behavior problems.  They, in fact, show higher levels of concern and affection for young children that their heterosexual children counterparts. The observation is that while many oppose homosexuality due to their varied beliefs, they have nothing substantial to disregard gay adoption of children.

Conflict Theory

The conflict perspective is against status quo. It reflects that change in necessary and inevitable. It would point out that any society needs change if it is to grow economically. The society comprises of diverse groups whose goals and values are also different (Crowl, Soyeon & Jean, 2008). These in turn conflict each other. For change to happen in society, these conflicts must always be encouraged as they make any social institution grow. The conflict perspective works over scarce resources. In this case, there is a scarce resource of heterosexual parents. This scarcity explains the thousands of US children in foster care systems. There are many gay parents whose intention is to love one another and bring up healthy children. Their intention is to provide a home for the homeless children of US and give these children an identity in a family.

Conclusion

Every society has norms and rules that govern it. Any deviation from the same creates confusion that may result in the disintegration of a part or whole of society. As every social institution grows to make a stable whole, change according to the conflict school of thought, is inevitable. It is an important aspect of growth and development. Marriage forms an integral arm of society because it is the origin of the family institution. The traditional concept of marriage involves a man and a woman. In the recent past, individuals have come up to declare publicly their homosexual status. Some view it as sinful and demonic while others are of the opinion that everyone has a right to enjoy the freedom of expression. The issue of concern for this paper is children in the family institution. Most people believe that capable children can only be brought up in heterosexual unions. Research has refuted this and demonstrated that there is no difference when it comes to gender identity development and other issues between one, children in heterosexual households and two, those in homosexual ones. Other findings observe that there are many homeless children in the US. Same-sex spouses have the love and the home to bring up these children. It is important, therefore, to critically study the benefits that the society has when homosexuals adopt children. This should be oblivious of the controversy that surrounds such unions.

References

Averette, P., Blakeney, J., Nalavany H., & Ryan,D. (2011). “Children in Lesbian and Gay Families: Theories and Evidence.” Annual Review of Sex Research 5:73-100.

Crowl, A, Soyeon A. & Jean B. (2008). A Meta-Analysis of Developmental Outcomes for Children of Same-Sex and Heterosexual Parents. Journal of GLBT Family Studies 4(3):385-407

Groeninger, C. (2012). Sexuality in the 21^st Century. Elsevier.

Robitaille, C. and  Saint-Jacques, M. (2009). Social Stigma and the Situation of Young People in Lesbian and Gay Stepfamilies. Journal of Homosexuality 56:421- 442

Carolyn Morgan is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in college research paper services. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from best medical essay service.