The Public Acceptance of Gay People Adopting Children
...in the 1950’s, to being a very open topic along with homosexuals being able to identify themselves more openly. A major argument for allowing homosexuals to adopt is that “the United States has many children currently in foster homes with gay and lesbian parents who want to adopt, and it is unfair to deny these children permanent homes (Kathy Belge).” Florida’s rule that gay couples may not adopt, yet they can be foster parents, is unfair to children who have been living in a gay-parented faster family for many years. Kathy Belge also uncovers a few un-truths for readers in her article, “Both Sides of the Issue;” “Studies have shown that children are more influenced by their interactions with their parents, than by their sexual orientation.” “Some opponents argue that children of gay and lesbian parents will be subject to harassment and ridicule (Kathy Belge),” while this is true, it does not mean that only children of gay and lesbian parents are bullied. Many children are bullied for other reasons, e.g. parents being divorced or one parent has died. The reasons for children being bullied are endless. Some gay couples will do whatever they can in order to adopt children. If it means lying about their sexual orientation, then they will. According to Carrie Croft, “gay couples lie in order to adopt. It is legal to omit information, but illegal to lie when asked a specific question (‘Gay Adoption’.” “The exact number of gay couples who have adopted is unknown because of society’s feelings toward homosexual couples (Carrie Croft, ‘Gay Adoption’.” “The children adopted by gay or lesbian parents are among the most wanted and prepared for children on earth (Roleff, “Gay Marriage”).” This is in fact, a very true statement. Because gay couples cannot conceive naturally, and not all lesbian couples like the idea of artificial insemination, they plan adoption very carefully and are fully prepared for children and the children they adopt are truly wanted, unlike heterosexual couples where a child can be conceived without planning it, and then the children are not fully prepared for, and are not always wanted. April Martin states “gays and lesbians make excellent parents because their children are planned for and truly wanted (Roleff, ‘Gay Marriage’).” Furthermore, “studies show that children raised by gay and lesbian parents are as emotionally and socially healthy as children of heterosexual parents (April Martin, Roleff, ‘Gay Marriage’).” “Researchers estimate that the total number of children nationwide living with at least one gay parent ranges from six to 14 million (anonymous, http://www.youdebate.com).” This is a very wide estimate, with a difference of eight million. The reason it is so wide is because so many homosexuals have lied about their sexual orientation in order to be allowed to adopt as single parents. If gay couples do lie outright, and they are found out, it could lead to major legal problems. Another little fact about adoption by gay couples is that “California was one of the first states to allow an openly gay man living with his lover to adopt a child (Curry, et al; ‘A Legal Guide’).” “There is no evidence to suggest that lesbians and gay men are unfit to be parents (anonymous, http://www.youdebate.com).” A lot of people refuse to believe this statement because they are so against homosexual couples adopting children. Instead, they say that “stability is the key to raising an emotionally and mentally healthy child; unmarried and homosexual partners simply cannot provide the stability that married heterosexual couples can give (anonymous, h...