A new study looked at any differences between children of two moms against children with different-sex parents. The study, published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics in April 2016, found virtually no difference in health, coping, learning, or emotional capacity in either group. This is the first study to exclusively use a sample of parents that have never been divorced or separated.
In past research, parents that were formally in heterosexual marriages then came out and found a new same-sex partner were used to exemplify the effects of same-sex parenthood, leading to less accurate information. Other previous studies used volunteer participants rather than representative samples across the board. While the methods were technically sound, there was room for sample error.
In the new study, researchers used information gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Survey of Children’s Health between 2011 and 2012. For the study, 95 female same-sex parents were compared with 95 different-sex parents, all of which had been continuously coupled. There were not enough male same-sex couples with minor children for the study.
The study suggested children may have good coping skills to handle the stigmatization that 41% of the same-sex couple’s children reported stemmed from a close relationship with their mothers. This may come as a result of lesbian mothers seeking community and support to help with the pressure they felt to justify the quality of their parenting skills more often than heterosexual mothers. The increased support may lead to better relationships with their children and a better support system when their children have problems.
Despite these studies, there are still “religious freedom” bills being passed or considered. These bills aim to disallow same-sex parents from adopting or fostering children by allowing adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate against the LGBTQIA community.
Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Advocate on Behalf of LGBT Parents in All Family Law Matters
Our team of Towson LGBT lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC fights for the rights of those in the LGBT community to ensure they receive fair treatment on all family law matters. Whether you and your spouse are separating, or you need help with child custody or adoption matters, we can help. Contact us online or call 443-589-0150 today to schedule an initial consultation. With offices in Hunt Valley, Towson, and Pikesville, Maryland, we proudly serve the Baltimore area including Hunt Valley, Cockeysville, Lutherville Timonium, Upper Falls, Phoenix, Riderwood, Sparks Glencoe, Towson, Brooklandville, Butler, Stevenson, Glyndon, Monkton, Reisterstown, Pikesville, Owings Mills, Parkville, Boring, Glen Arm, Baldwin, Upperco, Hydes, and Baltimore County.
