Australian study shows children of same sex couples doing better ...

[Jingthing]

Better than what, you ask?

Better than children in the general population.

More ammunition to counter those forces clinging to tired old myths that children of same sex couples are missing out on good parenting.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/07/children-of-same-sex-couples-are-happier-and-healthier-than-peers-research-shows/

Children of same-sex couples are happier and healthier than peers, research shows

...

“It’s often suggested that children with same-sex parents have poorer outcomes because they’re missing a parent of a particular sex. But research my colleagues and I published in the journal BMC Public Health shows this isn’t the case,” lead researcher Simon Crouch wrote on the Conversation.

Edited July 7, 2014 by Jingthing

[NeverSure]

But Benjamin Siegel, professor of pediatrics at the Boston University School of Medicine, said there are limits with such research. He told BU Today last year that none of the studies has been a randomized, controlled trial and that all studies on same-sex parenting are small since there aren't as many same-sex parents...

...According to the study, about two-thirds of children with same-sex parents experienced some form of stigma because of their parents’ sexual orientation. Despite these kids’ higher marks in physical health and social well-being, the stigma associated with their family structure was linked to lower scores on a number of scales.

[Jingthing]

Stigma doesn't come from the parents. It comes from homophobic elements in the greater society. Kids of Jews are still stigmatized in many communities. No reason not to allow Jews to have children.

[NeverSure]

JT, the last thing a kid wants is to be stigmatized. There's your danger.

I saw preachers' kids get stigmatized because they weren't allowed to participate in certain things, were told they were supposed to set an example, and just that much "difference" in family dynamics caused some of them to have the worst outcomes.

Everyone can see the stigmatism of a fat kid. That kid is going to have a very difficult life IMHO.

I'm not opposed at all to gays raising children, but I think it would be harder rather than easier. JMHO.

[NeverSure]

Stigma doesn't come from the parents. It comes from homophobic elements in the greater society. Kids of Jews are still stigmatized in many communities. No reason not to allow Jews to have children.

I totally agree. My point is that Jewish parents and gay parents will have that challenge and so will the children.

In other words, it ain't all going to be roses and there's no guarantee the children will turn out better or worse.

[Jingthing]

Glad to hear you're not opposed. This is another matter of basic civil and human rights. Gay people are citizens of their various countries and they deserve the same legal rights to marry and raise children, if that is their wish. Like any other citizens.

[NeverSure]

Glad to hear you're not opposed. This is another matter of basic civil and human rights. Gay people are citizens of their various countries and they deserve the same legal rights to marry and raise children, if that is their wish. Like any other citizens.

I agree but that's not the OP topic LOL. The OP quote caused me to think there was a serious study that proved the children would coast along better with gay parents and my experience with kids in general tells me it won't be that easy.

It's never easy to raise children, regardless of the parents' circumstances.

[David48]

Silly me ... all the time I thought that conversation was already running here ... gay-dads-make-better-fathers

Who would have guessed ...

[dieter1]

right:

"that none of the studies has been a randomized"

you need to compare families

which are equal in , f.e. "social economic background",education level, income, quality of relationship, age etc.

it is to assume,

that "normal" families with children are -beside the sex of the parents - not same as homosexual "families".

this is important. Not to care for this point, is absolutely unscientific!

And now we are coming to the main point:

In western societies, there is no chance for independent research on this matter:

When you publish results, supporting homosexual parenthood

you have good chances of support of your professional carrier.

If you would publish the opposite, good luck ! Everyone (in the scientific community does know this!

So , these publications are pure political motivated and its a misuse of scientific research! Many times, the researching scientists are themselves homosexual (activists).

sorry Jingthing

I my selves was very liberal, when it comes to overcome un!legitimated discrimination of homosexual people. I had homosexual friends ...

But what goes on in western societies today, is up to a point, where I clearly say, it is just evil. I just choose this small word, cause it would be way too long to explain my point of view en detail...

[Jingthing]

Throw the word EVIL out without explanation. That, amigo, is pretty darned bizarre.

[Scott]

It will be interesting to see how this trends over the next few decades. At the present time, it is not easy or convenient for gays to have children, so we have a group that may have higher motivation in parenting than other groups. As the number of gay parents increases, I would think the differences would be less.

You also need to compare similar groups of children, i.e., those adopted by straight couples and those adopted by gay couples; those in which it is a biological child of one gay partner vs. a biological child of one in a straight relationship (step child?).

Looking at these studies is interesting, but it is very early on in the legalization of gay relationships to draw a lot of conclusions, but such studies will help to strengthen the families ties, I hope.

[onthemoon]

right:

"that none of the studies has been a randomized"

you need to compare families

which are equal in , f.e. "social economic background",education level, income, quality of relationship, age etc.

it is to assume,

that "normal" families with children are -beside the sex of the parents - not same as homosexual "families".

this is important. Not to care for this point, is absolutely unscientific!

And now we are coming to the main point:

In western societies, there is no chance for independent research on this matter:

When you publish results, supporting homosexual parenthood

you have good chances of support of your professional carrier.

If you would publish the opposite, good luck ! Everyone (in the scientific community does know this!

So , these publications are pure political motivated and its a misuse of scientific research! Many times, the researching scientists are themselves homosexual (activists).

sorry Jingthing

I my selves was very liberal, when it comes to overcome un!legitimated discrimination of homosexual people. I had homosexual friends ...

But what goes on in western societies today, is up to a point, where I clearly say, it is just evil. I just choose this small word, cause it would be way too long to explain my point of view en detail...

I absolutely agree with you that a research in which the sample is not random is scientifically without merit. You can prove anything you want if you hand-pick your sample. I agree that this particular article appears politically motivated. As much as I like the outcome they present, it just isn't a proof.

However, I am surprised to hear that you hurt your professional career if your research outcome is different from what the mainstream thinks. I would think that a provocative research outcome would make you famous.

[Jingthing]

RIGHT WINGERS, anti-gay civil rights activists attack the study.

How predictable:

Right Wing Assails Aussie Gay Parenting Study; Researcher Responds

The right is trying to poke holes in the study, which showed positive outcomes for kids of same-sex couples, with a special objection to the fact that the lead researcher is a gay parent

http://www.advocate.com/parenting/2014/07/09/right-wing-assails-aussie-gay-parenting-study-researcher-responds

The researchers DEFEND the study:

http://researchconnect.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/hidden-agendas-do-researchers-and-participants-bring-bias-to-studies/

Edited July 9, 2014 by Jingthing