Homosexual Adoption
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of homosexual couples looking to adopt children recently. Even though there is this increase, there have been many obstacles for them to adopt. Such obstacles are biased adoption agencies and certain laws restricting them from adopting; for example only some states allow homosexuals to adopt. As a result of these barriers, they have been looking for other ways to have children. From domestic adoption agencies to independent adoptions to international adoptions to just public adoptions, homosexuals have a variety of ways of adopting, but they are treated very differently from heterosexuals. Even though they are all humans and see and breathe the same way, homosexuals are badly treated just because they chose to live a different life style. Why can't homosexuals have the ease in adopting just like heterosexuals do? Gay couples must prove they have adequate finances, good health, emotional stability, proper motivation and parenting skills. These are excellent qualifications that should be checked when a couple wants to adopt. The problem is, many couples are getting away with not meeting all of these qualifications because they are heterosexual (Galluccio, 54)
Many lesbians and gay couples used to hide their sexual preferences because of the homophobia in the child-welfare system. Now many same-sex couples seeking to become foster or adoptive parents do not want to pretend they are merely roommates when they are life mates. This is difficult because no openly gay or lesbian parent can be assured of fair treatment. (Woog, 33) The problem is only twenty-one states allow this form of adoption. Alaska, California, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Oregon are just some of the states that allow it. In four states it is a binding law because the highest court decided in favor of second parent adoptions. These states are New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont. Many studies are still taking place and are consistently proving that homosexuals are as fit as heterosexual couples. Many kids that have been raised by gay parents have valued the experience. One example is Alicia. Alicia has lived with her mother and her mother's lover Monica since she was seven. Alicia believes the experience has made her less naive. She also believes that people that have not gone through the experience are more judgmental and biased. She says, "I can get along with anybody, and I don't make judgments unless someone hurts me or does something I don't like. I get along with a lot more diverse crowd than most of my friends" (Ricketts, Achtenberg 91.) She finds that many adults view her as more grown up in terms of responsibility and leadership. These studies prove that the sexual orientation of parents does not harm the overall psychological well being of their children. A study of the children of donor-inseminated lesbians and their partners and the children of donor-inseminated heterosexual women and their husbands found no difference between the two groups of children in the areas of emotional and behavioral problems. Many other studies have been done and have had the same results. Also proven was the sexual orientation of parents does not harm the self-esteem of their children. Only a few studies have focused on the self-esteem of children, others focused on emotional and psychological factors in children that affect self-esteem.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1510
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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