Children Of Same-Sex Parents Are Just As Happy As Those Raised By Different-Sex Parents, Study Proves | HuffPost Life

Study Proves Children Of Same-Sex Parents Are Just As Happy As Those With Different-Sex Parents

Amy Packham— The Huffington Post UK

|

A large-scale study has confirmed that children who are raised by same-sex parents are just as happy as those raised in traditional families.

Researchers looked at 19,000 studies and articles on same-sex parenting from 1977 to 2013, and found that there were no differences in the psychological, behavioural or educational outcomes of children.

Co-author and University of Oregon sociology professor, Ryan Light, said: "Consensus is overwhelming in terms of there being no difference in children who are raised by same-sex or different-sex parents."

Light hopes the results of the research, titled “Scientific Consensus, the Law, and Same Sex Parenting Outcomes", will impact future cases in court regarding gay marriage.

The studies showed some disagreements on the outcomes of same-sex parenting in the 1980s, but a clear consensus had formed by 2000 that there was no difference between same-sex and different-sex parenting.

Light added: "Across the board we find there's no significant differences, and to our knowledge this is the most comprehensive analysis of this type on this issue."

Gary Gates, Research Director at the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, said he believes the argument that same-sex parents are less adequate than heterosexual parents has largely been taken out of the legal debates. But, he added, it's always possible that it could come up.

The results come as the US Supreme Court is set to rule by the end of this month on whether same-sex marriage is legal.

SEE ALSO:
What Not To Say To Same Sex Parents
Gay Marriage: Children With Same-Sex Parents 'Happier And Healthier' Study Says

In late 2014, a study of 500 children concluded children of gay parents are happier and healthier than their peers.

Conducted by Australia's University of Melbourne, the research showed children raised by same-sex couples scored 6% higher than the general population when it came to general health and family cohesion.

The lead author of the study, Dr Simon Crouch, said: "Because of the situation that same-sex families find themselves in, they are generally more willing to communicate and approach the issues that any child may face at school, like teasing or bullying."

Blogging on HuffPost UK Parents, Jane Newman wrote: "Why shouldn't a gay couple be allowed to have a family of their own?

"Surely a child with gay parents is better than a child with straight parents who argue constantly and end up getting divorced."

10 Incredible Improvements For LGBT People Since The First State Legalized Gay Marriage

Massachusetts Becomes The First(01 of10)

Massachusetts became the first state to welcome gay marriages in 2004. Since then, 17 states and Washington, DC have followed their lead and now allow same-sex couples to tie the knot. (credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)

Increase In Support Of Marriage Equality(02 of10)

Only 37 percent of Americans supported marriage equality for same-sex couples in in 2003. Now, in 2014, 59 percent of individuals support this right. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)

DOMA(03 of10)

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed in 1996, barring same-sex couples from marrying at the federal level. The Supreme Court struck down the core of this legislation in 2013, ensuring 1,100+ federal protections for gay couples. (credit:AP)

Protections For Transgender Minors(04 of10)

The American Psychiatric Association announced in December 2012 that identifying as transgender is no longer considered a disorder, 38 years after removing same-sex attraction from its list of disorders. (credit:Alistair Berg via Getty Images)

Obama Supports Marriage Equality(05 of10)

President Barack Obama made history in 2012 when he came out in support of marriage equality for same-sex couples. The decision made him the first American sitting president in history to make such a move. (credit:John Churchman via Getty Images)

LGBT Allies In Hollywood(06 of10)

Over the past ten years we've seen an explosion of support for the LGBT community in Hollywood, from LGBT celebrities themselves like Lady Gaga and Ellen DeGeneres, to non-queer allies like Brad Pitt and Anne Hathaway. (credit:Mark Sullivan via Getty Images)

Serve Openly In The Military(07 of10)

President Barack Obama signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in September 2011, reversing President Bill Clinton's 1993 legislation that barred lesbians and gays from serving openly in the military. Transgender individuals, however, are still not allowed to openly reveal their gender identity while serving. (credit:Jose Fernando Ogura/Curitiba/Brazil via Getty Images)

Opposition: No Longer Relevant(08 of10)

Anti-gay organizations such as the National Organization for Marriage and Family Research Council are becoming increasingly silent and slowly losing funding. The Catholic Church has also begun to show a shifting away from anti-gay attacks, particularly with Pope Francis' iconic "Who am I to judge?" proclamation. (credit:Franco Origlia via Getty Images)

Hospital Visitation Rights(09 of10)

In 2010, President Obama ordered that hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments must grant patients the right to designate whom can visit and consult with them, enabling hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples. (credit:Sebastian Rose via Getty Images)

Marriage Equality Court Cases(10 of10)

Couples fighting for the right to marry are continuing to legally challenge their right to marry at the state level. There are currently more than 70 active cases in approximately 30 states. (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)

Related

uk lifestyle uk parents same-sex parents Family Parents

Suggest a correction

|