--- Doug Pensinger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: <snip> > I think it's probably true that it is beneficial for > a child to have both > male and female roll models, but I'd like to see the > empirical evidence > that proves that children raised by same sex parents > have more problems > than children in traditional relationships before > making a judgment one > way or the other. It's my guess that because the > number of unwanted > children in same sex relationships is likely to be > next to nil, that on > average, they will fare _better_ not worse than > children in traditional relationships.
I also think that male and female role models are important for a child, yet agree that a stable and loving home is *at least* as important. What research has been done tends to come from those with an agenda, but seems on the balance positive: >From Berkley, a 1992 study reports "no evidence that the development of children with lesbian or gay parents is compromised in any significant respect relative to that among children of heterosexual parents in otherwise comparable circumstances." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1446541&dopt=Abstract A 1994 report from the Bronx: "There are no data to suggest that children who have gay or lesbian parents are different in any aspects of psychological, social, and sexual development from children in heterosexual families." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7971593&dopt=Abstract 2002 from Norway: "Children raised by lesbian mothers or gay fathers did not systematically differ from other children on any of the outcomes. The studies indicate that children raised by lesbian women do not experience adverse outcomes compared with other children. The same holds for children raised by gay men, but more studies should be done." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12361102&dopt=Abstract >From the Family Research Institute, Inc., Colorado Springs, CO [where I do not doubt that this is true!]: "Children of homosexual parents report childhood difficulties" [yet in Boulder a mere 70 miles north, I daresay it is not so...] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11899016&dopt=Abstract The same authors answer 'yes' to the question "Do homosexual teachers pose a risk to pupils?" http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9005252&dopt=Abstract And back in '95 when they were based in Washington, they also said that incest causes homosexuality... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7667476&dopt=Abstract This '99 article notes that "Despite past concerns and occasional reports to the contrary, the bulk of research has shown no evidence that children of parents who are gay or lesbian suffer any greater physical or mental pathology than children of heterosexual parents." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12024402&dopt=Abstract This '98 U of Virginia study about children concieved by sperm donation reports "Results showed that children were developing in normal fashion, and that their adjustment was unrelated to structural variables such as parental sexual orientation or the number of parents in the household. These results held true for teacher reports as well as for parent reports. Variables associated with family interactions and processes were, however, significantly related to indices of children's adjustment. Parents who were experiencing higher levels of parenting stress, higher levels of interparental conflict, and lower levels of love for each other had children who exhibited more behavior problems." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9586218&dopt=Abstract Which supports the below- > Basically, I think that the more stable, loving > relationships there are, > the better, and that whether you call them civil > unions or marriages makes no difference. Debbi So There Maru __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
