The past few years have seen a drastic increase in the number of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) families. This is a new phenomenon as LGBTQ were yet to be accepted in society. Individuals against LGBT marriages hold on the belief that traditional family set-up of a husband and a wife is the best set-up to bring up children. New family structures have an implication on the welfare of the children, and social scientists are attempting to evaluate it. LGBT families build their families through former heterosexual relationships, donor insemination, adoption, and surrogacy (Farr et al., 2017). These alternative approaches to building families mean that one or both of the LGBT parents will not be biologically related to the child, and this can lead to a poor parent-child relationship, thus negative life outcomes.
An article by Baiocco et al. (2015) explores the difference between lesbian and gay families with heterosexual families. The researchers focused on the themes of family functioning, dyadic satisfaction, and child development. The researchers gave the participants self-reports to evaluate the dyadic relationships. They also administered tests on family functioning and child development. The researchers found that lesbian and gay parents had higher levels of dyadic adjustment. They also have better communication and flexibility when dealing with their children. The results of the study also concluded that children from LGBTQ and heterosexual families have similar levels of emotional control and psychological wellbeing. The study concluded that children raised by LGBT parents are not likely to experience negative outcomes.
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The study was conducted in Italy among 40 same-sex families and 40 heterosexual families. The researchers used snowball sampling to identify the 40 same-sex and 40 heterosexual families to take part in the study. They administered self-reports with a focus on the themes of dyadic relationships, level of emotional control, and psychological wellbeing of the children.
Another article by Gartrell, Bos, & Koh (2011) is a longitudinal study following the offspring of sexual minority parents, including same-sex parents. The researchers build on the existing research that there is no significant difference in the psychological wellbeing of children from same-sex families and children from heterosexual families. The purpose of the study was to explore the sexual experiences of 17-year-olds born in same-sex families and heterosexual families. The authors acknowledge that sexual orientation is determined by many factors, including genetic influences, hormonal factors, and family environments. The researchers inquired about sexual identity and experiences, including sexual abuse and other forms of abuse. The results showed no reports of physical, sexual, or psychological victimization by the parents or caregivers. The researchers also found out that 18.9% of adolescent girls and 2.7% of the adolescent boys raised in gay families classified themselves as bisexual. Hence, the conclusion that adolescents in gay families are more likely to have same-sex contact. The researchers also found out that adolescents in gay families are less likely to be victimized by a parent or a caregiver.
The researchers engaged in a data collection process from 2005 to 2009 as part of an ongoing longitudinal study. The study is on 84 lesbian families, and it began in 1986. The study has a retention rate of 93% with a sample of 39 teenage girls and 39 teenage boys conceived through donor insemination. The mothers enrolled in the study from 1986 to 1992 during the insemination period. The researchers used Kinsey Self-Rating to collect data on the participants’ sexual experiences. The data was gathered through online questionnaires.
Evaluation and What Researchers did in the study
Both articles appear credible and trustworthy. The study by Baiocco et al. (2015) is credible because it has an equal sample of 40 same-sex families and 40 heterosexual families. The researchers were guided by the research purpose of exploring the differences in family functioning and child development in same-sex families and heterosexual families. The goal of the researchers was to disapprove of the stereotypes that gay parents are not as good as heterosexual parents. The researchers used appropriate sampling, data collection, and data analysis tools to reach a reliable conclusion. However, a sample of 40 heterosexual and 40 same-sex families is a small sample. Thus, it is hard to generalize the findings of the study.
The second study by Gartrell, Bos, & Kohl (2011) is a longitudinal study; thus, it captures much information on same-sex parenting and effects on the children. The study is reliable because it analyzes data gathered from 1986 to present on lesbian-families. The purpose of the study is to survey 17-year olds raised in lesbian families about their sexual experiences, behavior, and risk exposure. The second goal is to compare the sexual behavior of 17-year-olds from the study with age-matched adolescents. The researchers achieve their goals after collecting data using Kinsey’s self-ratings and analyzing it to conclude. Despite being longitudinal research, the study has notable weaknesses that affect its credibility. The sample was selected using a non-random method in the 1980s. Given the discrimination against LGBT people in the 1980s, the sample was not representative of the lesbian families then and now. Another limitation of the study is that the study is not matched or controlled. The sample is not diverse as the participants are not of different socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and location. A more diverse sample would give an accurate picture of the experiences of same-sex families. The sample of the study is quite small in this study, too; thus, it is hard to generalize the results.
Addressing the Claim
The two articles address the claim that children from same-sex marriage are likely to experience adverse outcomes. In the first article by Baiocco et al. (2015) concludes that same-sex parents have higher levels of dyadic adjustment, communication, and flexibility. The results of the study disapprove of the stereotypes that children in same-sex families experience adverse outcomes because they are deprived of the experience of motherhood and otherhood. Both studies show that children raised in same-sex families do well as their peers. Gartrell et al. (2011) concur with Baiocco et al. (2015) that there is no significant difference in children’s wellbeing in same-sex and heterosexual families. Gartrell et al. (2011) add that children from same-sex families are more likely to express diversity in sexual orientation, but this is not a sign of psychological distress.
In conclusion, the two studies challenge the popular conception that children require both mothers and fathers for their social, psychological, and mental wellbeing. There are notable limitations in the studies, including a small sample, non-random sampling, and a lack of control group. Regardless, the studies challenge the society against accepting popular stereotypes and misconceptions about LBGT families. LGBT families are raising well-adjusted kids who are doing equally well in comparison to children from heterosexual families.
References
Baiocco, R., Santamaria, F., Ioverno, S., Fontanesi, L., Baumgartner, E., Laghi, F., & Lingiardi, V. (2015). Lesbian mother families and gay father families in Italy: Family functioning, dyadic satisfaction, and child well-being. Sexuality Research and Social Policy , 12 (3), 202-212.
Farr, R. H., Simon, K. A., & Bruun, S. T. (2017). LGBTQ relationships: Families of origin, same-sex couples, and parenting. In Family Dynamics and Romantic Relationships in a Changing Society (pp. 110-136). IGI Global.
Gartrell, N., Bos, H., & Koh, A. (2011). Sexual Attraction, Sexual Identity, and Same-Sex Sexual Experiences of Adult Offspring in the US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study. Archives of sexual behavior , 1-9.
