Gay Parents Doing Better Than Heterosexual Parents?

A new study out of Italy has shown that same-sex parents are doing a better job at raising their children than their heterosexual counterparts.

The study which was published in The Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics has confirmed that children with same-sex parents are socially and psychologically well adjusted.

Going a step further, the study has also highlighted that the findings show that children of gay fathers and lesbian mothers, actually experience fewer psychological problems than their heterosexual counterparts and cautions against judging parents and parents-to-be based on their sexual orientation.

“The present study warns policy-makers against making assumptions on the basis of sexual orientation about people who are more suited than others to be parents or about people who should or should not be denied access to fertility treatments,” said Professor Roberto Baiocco, PhD, from the Sapienza University of Rome.

The study which focused on three groups of parents living in Italy including 70 gay dads, 125 lesbian moms and 195 heterosexual couples, all with children aged three to 11, assessed each family on their “children’s psychological adjustment and pro-social behaviour” as well as their parenting skills and family functioning and flexibility.

While gay fathers reported higher levels of family cohesion, “the results showed no major differences in the children’s psychological adjustment among the three groups of families,” Barocco explained.

Ultimately the study highlights that a child’s emotional stability and well-being are not determined by their parents’ sexuality, however instead, by how well the family functions.

Last Updated on Jul 16, 2018