Having two parents matters. Their gender doesn’t, according to a new study.
A pair of American sociologists spent five years sifting through all the available literature contrasting the outcomes for children raised in traditional families with those raised by a same-sex couple. Their conclusion: no substantive difference at all. Photo - The Rainbow Babies
“The upshot of the study is something that should be common sense, but instead there is this enormous belief in the significance of gender. Bottom line: What matters is good parenting,” said NYU’s Judith Stacey. She and colleague Timothy Biblarz published the results of their investigation in the Journal of Marriage and Family on Friday.
Stacey and Biblarz have been involved in the culture wars surrounding gay marriage and gay parenthood since the release of their 2001 study, How Does The Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?
Those who disagreed with their answer to that question – “not that much” – began casting around for their own scientific data. That prompted this follow-up.
“In the U.S. especially, policy makers ... always start their (anti-gay marriage) argument with, ‘Research proves...,’” Stacey said. “But that research is almost exclusively research that compares children with two married parents to children whose parents divorced or never married. It’s completely skewed. Read complete article - Toronto Star
Related links:
Gender matters? Don't kid yourself - By MINDELLE JACOBS, EDMONTON SUN
"(How) Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?" Judith Stacey, co-authored with Timothy Biblarz American Sociological Review 66, n.2 (April 2001):159-83.
NSW government opposes adoption by same-sex couples – by Pat Donohoe, Sydney - Green Left Weekly
Parenting Tips for Gay or Lesbian Parents - by Alistair Hunt - The Rainbow Babies
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