I disagree with the âÄúSame-sex marriage is bad for childrenâÄù letter in the Oct. 25 Minnesota Daily. The letter argues that children who arenâÄôt raised by two biological parents are raised in a subpar manner, and that the presence of two biological parents is the superior form of parenting. I contest both arguments.
The thousands of single, adoptive, step and divorced parents in Minnesota would likely disagree with the first point.
The argument that it isnâÄôt ideal for children to be raised in an environment where both biological parents arenâÄôt present thus seems poorly supported. I certainly donâÄôt believe that those whose partner is no longer around are inherently poor at child rearing.
Furthermore, I think it is a stretch to imply that all non-nuclear children are somehow less successful than their nuclear-family counterparts.
Yes, father absence does seem to have an adverse effect on children. However, this phenomenon is predominantly due to the economic insecurity and instability that single-parenting causes, according to the 2004 study by professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University Sara McLanahan, âÄúFather Absence and the Welfare of Children.âÄù The disadvantages are because of the absent second wage-earning presence.
Dozens of studies, recent and otherwise, disprove the argument that two biological parents is the ideal method of parenting.
A 1994 American Psychological Association study found that there âÄúare no significant differences between childrenâÄôs cognitive functioning and behavioral adjustmentsâÄù when children of heterosexual and homosexual partnerships were compared. In fact, according to a follow-up study in 2010 by the American Psychological Foundation, children of gay partnerships are actually more likely to do better in school, to have higher confidence and are less likely to have behavioral problems.
Further studies also point to the same conclusion: gay partnerships are equally as proficient at parenting as heterosexual couples.
Children will not âÄúperform betterâÄù because of their parentsâÄô sexual orientation, as the letter states. Rather, they will thrive when raised in a loving home with parents who are committed to each other and their children.
Gay marriage will not hinder child rearing; it will strengthen it. The possibility of gay couples having children should not preclude Minnesotans from voting against the 2012 marriage amendment referendum.
