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likely to be homosexual themselves. Criticism has also included possible
corruption and child abuse (Akersten, 2010; Blake, 2009). Some commenta-
tors have observed that children may be regarded by gay or lesbian people
as a 'trophy' or the 'ultimate gay accessory' to acquire, without consider-
ation of the responsibilities or competences required, when everything
else - house, car, holidays etc. - has been acquired (Blake, 2009; Moorhead,
2010). Gay men themselves, in a US study, expressed ambivalence about
parenting (Stacey, 2006). As homosexuality becomes more accepted the
number of gay fathers may fall, as most gay fathers became fathers when
in heterosexual marriages.
It is only recently that studies of children in gay or lesbian families have
been undertaken and judgements previously have often been unfounded
contentions. Recent studies conclude that a two-parent family may provide
'good' emotional and material support for a child regardless of whether
parents are of the same or different sex (Biblarz & Stacey, 2010). Parenting
skills are not gender specific and family dynamics and processes are more
influential than family structure in child development (Scottish Govern-
ment, 2009; Short et al ., 2007). Both lesbian and gay couples undertake the
parenting process in 'gender flexible' ways, negotiate responsibility and
generally adopt more equal roles (Biblarz & Stacey, 2010).
Studies have shown that lesbian parent couples are strongly committed
to the notion of motherhood and to each other and parenting skills are as
good as if not better than in equivalent heterosexual couples (Biblarz &
Savci, 2010). There have been fewer studies of gay parent families and such
families were less likely to include biological children. The strengths that
gay fathers demonstrated were, in part, attributed to resilience in overcom-
ing obstacles to becoming parents (Biblarz & Savci, 2010).
Children in gay or lesbian families are similar to children in heterosexual
families in respect of psychological development and well-being, relations
with others and behaviour. They are also generally more well balanced,
tolerant and open minded, are less likely to identify particular genders with
specific traits or responsibilities and demonstrate higher levels of competence
(by social and academic measures) than equivalent children in heterosexual
families (Gartrell & Bos, 2010).
Some problems faced by children have, however, been identified.
Children of gay or lesbian parents, in a UK study, celebrated their families as
'special and different' but acknowledged that others - children and adults -
could be hurtful in their comments and actions (Guasp, 2010). A UK study
comparing children in families with same-sex and different-sex parents
concluded that children of same-sex parents were less likely to seek support
for 'victimisation' at school (Rivers et al ., 2008). In one US study, children
(now in their 20s and 30s) of gay or lesbian parents were 'comfortable' with
their family but felt rejection because of society's view that their family was
in some sense 'wrong' and damaging (Garner, 2005).
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