Controversies Surrounding Lesbian and Gay

This study investigated child development and parenting in 106 families headed by 27 lesbian, 29 gay, and 50 heterosexual couples (80 % White, M 42 years) with young adopted children (41 % White, M 3 years). Parents and teachers reported that, on average, children were developing in typical ways. Measures of children’s adjustment, parenting approaches, parenting stress, and couple relationship adjustment were not significantly associated with parental sexual orientation. However, several family process variables—parenting stress, parenting approaches, and couple relationship adjustment—were found to be significantly associated with children’s adjustment, regardless of parental sexual orientation. Implications for understanding the role of gender and sexual orientation in parenting, as well as for legal and policy debates, are discussed. Should the sexual orientation of prospective adoptive parents be considered when placing children in adoptive homes? The adoption of minor children by lesbian and gay adults has been a topic of considerable debate. Although substantial research has demonstrated that children of lesbian and gay parents develop in ways that are similar to those of heterosexual parents, families with lesbian and gay parents remain controversial in courtrooms, legislatures, and in the media. Meanwhile, many children await placement with permanent families. For example, in the United States, there are over 500,000 children in the child welfare system and over 100,000 children currently waiting to be adopted (U.S. Department of Health, 2008). If lesbian and gay adults are found to be capable adoptive parents, it is likely in the interest of waiting children that they be considere