The debate on whether or not gay and lesbian couples should be allowed to adopt has

been going on for many years now. Canada, and a few states in America do allow same sex
couples to adopt children, however not everywhere. Some agencies will only allow one person
from the couple adopt. This way technically the child only has one legal guardian, and is not
considered adopted by a same sex couple. There are a few reasons why an agency might do
this. Either it is because of religious beliefs by the agency, their states law prohibiting
placement with same sex couples, or a policy stating that only married couples can adopt.
Because same sex marriage is not legal everywhere in the US, a child may have to be placed
under one person from the couple. It is argued that same sex couples should be allowed to
adopt no matter what their marital status. However, approximately one third of adoption
agencies reject gay or lesbian couples. The demand for adopted children by same sex couples
have sky rocketed within the last decade. Approximately 65 500 adopted children are living
with a lesbian or gay parent today in the US alone. A large part of the debate is whether or not
children living with a gay or lesbian parent have been affected differently than children with
straight parents. Up until this date, there has been no physical or scientifically evidence to
prove that having homosexual parents has anything to do with the adopted child
psychologically.
To this date, no studies have shown that parent sexual orientation affects child
development. There have been many studies that have been completed based on many
different samples. Samples are drawn from populations, convenience samples, and large
population samples, they all come to similar conclusions in the end. Over two decades of
research failed to show any important differences in the development or growth of children

raised by gay or lesbian couples, in comparison to those raised by straight couples. I was able
to find an article that talks about how the quality of family relationships are more likely to be
linked with the child sexual orientation rather than the parental sexual orientation.
1

Until now, many studies and articles have shown that show the body of scientific literature
that demonstrates that children who grow up with either one or two gay or lesbian parents are
almost the same in emotional, social, and sexual functioning as those with heterosexual
parents. They talk about how childrens development is more influenced by how relationships
and interactions in their families are made. Rather than the specific sexual orientation of their
parents or those around them. This shows that weather or not your parents are gay, all
children are raised equally alike. It shows the many different aspects that can be studied in
parenting when differentiating between a homo or heterosexual parent.
2
An author named
Brodzinsky spoke of a nationwide survey that was conducted of adoption agencies that studied
their policies, and attitudes in regard to same sex couple adoptive parents. After he received
over two hundred questionnaires (which was only 26 percent of what they sent out), Sixty
three percent showed that their agency did in fact accept applications from gay and lesbian
individuals and almost thirty eight percent showed that their adoption agency has had made at
least one adoption with a lesbian or gay adult. This shows that adoption by same sex couples is
not a new thing.
1. Peterson, C. (n.d.). Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents. Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents.
Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/15/5/241.short
2. Perrin, E. (n.d.). Technical Report: Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents.
Technical Report: Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents. Retrieved May 14,
2014, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/109/2/341.short

This actually has been happening for a while in the states and countries where it is available.
Attitudes from agencies regarding adoption by gay and lesbian individuals varies in relation to
their religious views. In conclusion their results show that policies, and attitudes vary from
every agency. Many agencies are willing to place with lesbian or gay parents and a few even
have some experience from doing it before.
3
Within my studies I also realized that many
authors and journalists examine gender gaps in heterosexuals attitudes towards lesbians and
gay men. An article I found talks about the significant difference between attitudes towards
lesbian and attitudes toward gay men. Significant differences were found between male and
female heterosexual people, and their attitudes between lesbian and gay people. The people
who participated in the survey put down that they are more likely to see gay men as mentally
ill, but supported adoption rights for lesbians more than for gay men. They had a bad reaction
to gay men and good one with lesbian women. Heterosexual women were more supportive
than men in willing to give employment protection and adoption rights to gay people. They
were also more willing to extend employee benefits to gay couples and less likely to hold any
stereotypes against gay people. The biggest gender difference was the fact that straight men
were stereotypical to gay mean. From all studies shown, straight men were the least
supportive of same sex relationships and adoption rights for gay men. Straight men were more
likely to believe that gay men have mental illness and are more likely to molest children. These
mens responses showed that their attitudes toward lesbians and gay
3. Brodzinsky, D. (n.d.). Adoption Agency Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Prospective Parents. Taylor
& Francis. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J145v05n03_02#.U3wFrfldUdc

men were very different. Differentiating lesbians from gay men in a huge way when it comes
to attitudes.
4
A study I reviewed showed policies related to adoption from gay and lesbian
parents in North Carolina, USA. They review literature showing the changing definition of
family/ impact of sexual orientation. They show the development of children and review
federal legislation and adoption policy in that state. Workers in a county department of social
service were interviewed. The outcome shows that they have a lack of actual clear policy and
lack of protection from stereotyping and discrimination which made it very hard for same sex
couples to adopt children within that state.
5
When studied, the patterns of gay straight
alliances in public high schools in America have proven to be very successful and helpful to
children within the LGBT community. These clubs offer a safe space where people can activate
and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and also straight students. They can
safely chat and discuss pressing issues within the LGBT community. Using data from various
public schools and laws in their state, an author named Fetner researches how these groups
are likely to form, and their social barriers. Using logistic regression a number of characteristics
among those schools isolate and found the first wave of gay straight alliances. The location of
schools, country and groups outside high schools all promoted gay straight alliances in public
schools all across North America.
6
4. Herek, G. (n.d.). Public Opinion Quarterly. Gender Gaps in Public Opinion about Lesbians and Gay
Men. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://poq.oxfordjournals.org/content/66/1/40.short
5. Kenyon, G. (n.d.). Public Adoption by Gay and Lesbian Parents in North Carolina: Policy and
Practice - Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services - Volume 84,
Number 4 / 2003 - Alliance for Children and Families. Public Adoption by Gay and Lesbian
Parents in North Carolina: Policy and Practice
. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://alliance1.metapress.com/content/y4645656701v61w5/
6. Fetner, T. (n.d.). Gay-Straight Alliances in High Schools. Gay-Straight Alliances in High Schools.
Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://yas.sagepub.com/content/40/1/114.short



Sources:
1. Peterson, C. (n.d.). Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents. Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents.
Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://cdp.sagepub.com/content/15/5/241.short

2. Perrin, E. (n.d.). Technical Report: Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents.
Technical Report: Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents. Retrieved May
14, 2014, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/109/2/341.short

3. Brodzinsky, D. (n.d.). Adoption Agency Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Prospective Parents.
Taylor & Francis. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J145v05n03_02#.U3wFrfldUdc
4. Herek, G. (n.d.). Public Opinion Quarterly. Gender Gaps in Public Opinion about Lesbians and
Gay Men. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://poq.oxfordjournals.org/content/66/1/40.short

5. Kenyon, G. (n.d.). Public Adoption by Gay and Lesbian Parents in North Carolina: Policy and
Practice - Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services - Volume 84,
Number 4 / 2003 - Alliance for Children and Families. Public Adoption by Gay and Lesbian
Parents in North Carolina: Policy and Practice
. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://alliance1.metapress.com/content/y4645656701v61w5/

6. Fetner, T. (n.d.). Gay-Straight Alliances in High Schools. Gay-Straight Alliances in High Schools.
Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://yas.sagepub.com/content/40/1/114.short













Literature Review



Bassem Yacoub
Ms. Bristow
05/10/14
HSB 4U