Introduction
The adoption of homosexual couples is the adoption of kids by same-sex couples, which may take the form of the adoption by one partner of the other’s biological kid or a joint adoption by the couple. Joint adoption by homosexual couples is authorized in many nations and territories that allow same-sex marriage, while other countries do not. Homosexual parents wishing to adopt children must contend with social pressures to conform to heteronormative sex roles. The judicial system has granted some states in the United States full rights of adoption to same-sex couples, while others have banned homosexual adoption or allowed one partner to adopt. However, good parenting is determined by the ability of the parent to establish a nurturing and loving family, which does not depend on whether they are homosexual or straight.
Behaviors/ Attitudes Towards Adoption by Same-Sex Parents
The adoption of kids by homosexual parents has been an issue of debate across the United States of America. Some legislation introduced to many jurisdictions to ban same-sex partners’ adoption has been significantly defeated (Szalma and Djundeva 67). Some of the prominent professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, have advocated for the adoption by homosexual partners mentioning class prejudice as causing damage to the mental well-being of these parents. Another major organization that supports this is the American Medical Association which maintains that lack of formal recognition may lead to health disparities for kids of homosexuals.
The attitudes and perceptions towards same-sex parenting have improved as the percentage of homosexual couples, and same-sex parenting has grown in America. The public condemnation of homosexual parenting in America dropped between 2007 and 2011 from 50 percent to 30 percent (Santos et al. 142). Currently, homosexual partners are most likely to raise an adopted kid, with four percent of adopted kids and three percent of foster kids being brought up by same-sex parents (Santos et al. 138). Homosexual parents embrace adoption as a means of starting a family and tend to put significantly less importance on the biological means of conceiving a kid than heterosexual parents do.
In the past, most children raised by homosexual partners had been born into one of their parents’ former heterosexual marriages. With this regard, there were many legal disputes over the custody of the child born in that scenario in the event of a divorce (Kranz 353). In addition, there were prejudices against the parents in a homosexual relationship; the prejudices made courts disfavor them in awarding visitation and custody rights. The introduction of in vitro fertilization has created controversy as it enables same-sex parents to raise kids of their own who had not been born from heterosexual marriages. The development has generated a heated debate about the presumption of parenthood. For instance, when a mother in a heterosexual relationship gives birth, the man is presumed to be legally the child’s father, but courts have extended these rights to same-sex couples.
Concisely, the proponents of adoption by same-sex parents claim that adoption is a better alternative to being placed in foster homes. Additionally, a child has a right to have a guardian, family, or individuals to care for their well-being. According to civil rights, parents and children can have a family life (Kranz 353). Similarly, they state that there are no differences between kids brought up by straight or homosexual parents. That being the case, the sexual preference of the couples has no importance, especially concerning raising a kid. The proponents also argue that kids raised in homosexual families fare well as those raised by different-sex couples across a broad spectrum of child well-being measures such as cognitive development, academic performance, and psychological health.
On the other hand, the opponents argue that kids raised by homosexual couples are likely to face gender and sexual disorders. Furthermore, most adoption agencies are religious, and therefore it might go against their religion for same-sex parents to adopt. There is also the lingering challenge of a culture long imbued with the belief that kids need the complementary roles that a father and a mother provide. Finally, the Catholic church is another opponent of adoption by homosexual couples.
Pros of Adoption by Homosexual Couples
Opinions and views about same-sex adoption vary across different states, but the reality is that a child deserves a loving and stable home. Regardless of sexuality or gender, kids need parents who offer a conducive environment where they may grow up and thrive. One of the advantages of same-sex adoption is that two parents are believed to be better than none. When a couple considers adoption, they already know they cannot raise a kid alone for one reason or another (Costa and Tasker 4160). Thus, the main objective of adopting a child is to place them with a stable and loving family so they have the best chance at life. As such, gender or sexuality should not be a deterrent for placing a child with an otherwise stable family.
Another benefit is that homosexual couples get the opportunity to have a family since they cannot have it on their own. This is because same-sex partners with infertility problems rely on birth mothers to meet their desires to be parents (Whatley et al. 107). Therefore, by adopting a child, the heterosexual partners have the unique opportunity to provide life and household gifts to partners that otherwise would not have that ability.
In addition, adoptive same-sex parents usually adopt a baby so that they may experience the joyful event of raising a new life from the very beginning. Thus, adoption, according to them, is an act of creating a family and is just as joyful and emotional as birth is (Whatley et al. 114). Individuals and parents who are in the process of choosing if they want to go ahead with the process should take an honest evaluation of their openness and truthfully assess their decisions. That level of self-reflection makes them better and helps them to figure out some things about their relationship and personality and make them better parents for their future children. Similarly, raising a family by adopting a child is a challenging, epochal, and rewarding moment (Szalma and Djundeva 61). Through the permanent and voluntary placement of the child for adoption, homosexuals experience the pleasure of taking home a child, bringing them up from the beginning, and watching them grow.
In the contemporary world, acceptance is required more than ever. According to Whatley et al., same-sex adoptions enable the child to become more respectful, accepting, and tolerant of differences from other individuals as they grow up (113). While homosexual adoptive couples break the traditional boundaries, the adopted child approaches issues with an open mind, enabling them to see any challenge with multiple outcomes rather than seeing it as white or black. With the child being more social, they make connections with everyone more quickly, and best of all, as they grow older, they can begin having lifelong relationships at an early stage.
Cons of Adoption by Homosexual Couples
Adoption is a long and challenging process, even though it is highly dependent on the legislation of the different states. Additionally, it is expensive, so adoptive parents should consider the diverse adoption financial regulations and assistance options. Despite the government’s milestones towards legalizing same-sex adoption, discrimination continues to thrive as the kid may be subject to ridicule and bullying at the school. Furthermore, research indicates that children raised by homosexual parents often have a higher rate of drug abuse, depression, and suicidal ideation than straight couples (Costa and Shenkman 328). Individuals face negativity from family and friends by deciding to adopt, and choosing to place one’s children with homosexuals may lead to some additional turmoil. Many misconceptions and untrue ideas are being spread about homosexual couples’ adoption, usually perpetuated by those opposed to this form of adoption. Other problems facing this form of adoption lie in addressing the cultural and racial identity of the baby, talking to the baby about adoption, and managing birth-parent relations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, good parenting is not influenced by sexual orientation. Still, it is most profoundly impacted by the ability of the parent to establish a nurturing and loving family, which does not depend on whether they are homosexual or straight. The pros mentioned above outweigh the cons of adoption by same-sex couples; thus, adoption proves to be an effective way for these couples to realize their dreams of parenthood. Kids from homosexual couples benefit from being more affectionate and open-minded. The adopted children will enjoy the advantages and solidity of being raised in a two-parent household. Adoption by same-sex parents continues to increase in America, communities are becoming more accepting of diverse family types, and parents opt to complete their families through adoption.
Works Cited
Costa, Pedro Alexandre, and Fiona Tasker. ““We Wanted a Forever Family”: Altruistic, Individualistic, and Motivated Reasoning Motivations for Adoption among LGBTQ Individuals.” Journal of Family Issues, vol. 39, no. 18, 2018, pp. 4156-4178, Web.
Costa, Pedro Alexandre, and Geva Shenkman. “LGBTQ-Parent Families in Non-Western Contexts.” LGBTQ-Parent Families. Springer, Cham, 2020, pp. 319-336, Web.
Kranz, Dirk. “The Impact of Sexual and Gender Role Orientation on Heterosexuals’ Judgments of Parental Competence and Adoption Suitability.” Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, vol. 7, no. 3, 2020, p. 353, Web.
Santos, José Victor De Oliveira, et al. “Adoption of Children by Homosexual Couples: The Social Representations.” Trends in Psychology, vol. 26, 2018, pp. 139-152, Web.
Szalma, Ivett, and Maja Djundeva. “What Shapes Public Attitudes Towards Assisted Reproduction Technologies in Europe?” Demográfia-English Edition, vol. 62, no. 5, 2020, pp. 45-75, Web.
Whatley, Mark A., Stephani J. Cave, and Jennifer E. Breneiser. “The Development of a Scale to Assess Attitudes toward Homosexual Adoption: A Preliminary Investigation.” North American Journal of Psychology, vol. 18, no. 1, 2016, pp. 107-121, Web.