Same-Sex Parenting

I'm doing an assessment for one of my modules and same-sex parenting is the topic, were not actually looking at the attitudes but the response to the expression of a minority opinion from an in/out-group point of view. So basically I thought the issue itself would be a good topic to discuss on the forum so here is it :P, sorry if its already been done.

So discuss :D!

I am a homosexual male and agree, to some extent, with same-sex parenting. I personally think that there should be nothing against same-sex couples raising children. Damn it, there are thousands of children desperate for a home and if two men or two women can give them a stable home environment why should they not be allowed to do so? In my opinion it is beneficial to everyone.

The only problem I'd be worried about is the impact on the way children were treated at school. I wouldn't want my child to get teased for "having two dads". Therefore if I were to adopt I would be "Uncle Garion" rather than Dad, I think.

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Originally Posted by Garion

I am a homosexual male and agree, to some extent, with same-sex parenting. I personally think that there should be nothing against same-sex couples raising children. Damn it, there are thousands of children desperate for a home and if two men or two women can give them a stable home environment why should they not be allowed to do so? In my opinion it is beneficial to everyone.

The only problem I'd be worried about is the impact on the way children were treated at school. I wouldn't want my child to get teased for "having two dads". Therefore if I were to adopt I would be "Uncle Garion" rather than Dad, I think.

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I agree with you completely here, the issue of the child being at a disadvantage in school etc. is due to the values which are still held onto by society (or rather the majority of society), but if same-sex parenting becomes common place, then that issue would gradually dissolve, the only problem is asking how long would it take to dissolve :S.

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Originally Posted by iSarcastix

I agree with you completely here, the issue of the child being at a disadvantage in school etc. is due to the values which are still held onto by society (or rather the majority of society), but if same-sex parenting becomes common place, then that issue would gradually dissolve, the only problem is asking how long would it take to dissolve :S.

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Yes exactly. Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted into society, and an increase in same-sex parenting would speed up the process, I believe. Unfortunately there are always going to be critiques!

I am afraid the attitude would not disappear as is common myth, children do not bully by taking in to account social attitudes and to try to change the mind of a child by 'easing' the process is wrong and does not work. The child would be bullied over it, I am 100% sure of it and that is not fair to inflict that on a child. Equality also must extend to the welfare of children, and that is something that is being overlooked.

I think maybe in twenty to fifty years it will be more or less accepted, but as for now; its nowhere near, especially in lower school. You can give kids all the equality lessons and videos you want, at the end of the day they will still think its weird and will let that be known, kids are kids.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

I am afraid the attitude would not disappear as is common myth, children do not bully by taking in to account social attitudes and to try to change the mind of a child by 'easing' the process is wrong and does not work. The child would be bullied over it, I am 100% sure of it and that is not fair to inflict that on a child. Equality also must extend to the welfare of children, and that is something that is being overlooked.

I think maybe in twenty to fifty years it will be more or less accepted, but as for now; its nowhere near, especially in lower school. You can give kids all the equality lessons and videos you want, at the end of the day they will still think its weird and will let that be known, kids are kids.

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I'm not saying that we ease the value in and turn the previous one into common myth. As a value grows more popular, people (and children as well) would get used to the idea until eventually their value towards it is similar to any other value, for example; black and white people were once divided by the simple fact that they were black and white, black people would go to different schools, different work places and bars etc. now that is no longer the case as the value that white and black people are different no longer is a dominant value and people have accepted that there is no value, that we are equal. This trent was eventually followed by the legalisation of homosexuality and same-sex marraige/civil partnership, and will undoubtably be followed by same-sex parenting, the question to ask is how long would it take for this value to become accepted and whether or not children should be forced to endure this until that time comes.

It's an unbelievably complex discussion. It will never fade away, the "bullying" or comments made by children to a child with same-sex parents, because the majority of children in a school would have a mother and a father in their lives, so naturally when one of these children look at the child with same sex parents they would think "Why are there two daddies/mummies?" or the lack of the father or mother figure, depending on the innocense and naivity behind the child. It will always happen, children are honest and will come out with these things - you cannot suggest to the parents of these children to educate them, because they WILL ask these questions and never properly understand. As far as I see it, same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt, and if they fail to hold onto this promise, they suffer the same consequences as opposite sex couples.

The only problem really is the stereotype, which is quite accurate within male same sex couples is, are they commited to one another to look after this child? Men are naturally born wanderers/wonderers, so naturally they're just looking for good sex, you see it everywhere, but that shouldn't excuse that some men are commited to their commitments.

Luckily, our generation is quite open to this, compared to the older generation that are still holding onto the facts and background behind things like Gay Pride, which alot of the younger generation see as heterophobia because what it meant is dying away and it is now just an open parade with colourful, stereotyped homosexuality icons, like the rainbow flag, the colour pink and baby blue, and drag queens. Although the history is still there, its purpose died out years ago. That's not suggesting homophobia will die out completely, because everyone has their own reasons to hate certain cultures or people, sometimes its just the person in general, like gay bashers (who in turn just hate homosexuals anyway).

That's my opinion at least :P

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It's an unbelievably complex discussion.

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Hardly imo. Totally agree with Undertaker... I think the parents are being totally incosiderate for the future of 'their' child.

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Originally Posted by -:Undertaker:-

The child would be bullied over it, I am 100% sure of it and that is not fair to inflict that on a child. Equality also must extend to the welfare of children, and that is something that is being overlooked.

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QFT

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Originally Posted by iSarcastix

I'm not saying that we ease the value in and turn the previous one into common myth. As a value grows more popular, people (and children as well) would get used to the idea until eventually their value towards it is similar to any other value, for example; black and white people were once divided by the simple fact that they were black and white, black people would go to different schools, different work places and bars etc. now that is no longer the case as the value that white and black people are different no longer is a dominant value and people have accepted that there is no value, that we are equal. This trent was eventually followed by the legalisation of homosexuality and same-sex marraige/civil partnership, and will undoubtably be followed by same-sex parenting, the question to ask is how long would it take for this value to become accepted and whether or not children should be forced to endure this until that time comes.

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No, they should not.

Well I know of several people who's parents have split up and one has become homosexual. People don't really insult them for it or attack them for it, they sort of understand that it's an unusual situation. Perhaps they are the minority, i don't know. I think that the government shouldn't say yes or no either way. Say an older child (13/14/15) wants to move out of care and is willing to live with a gay couple, why should social services stop them making that choice? Younger children might not understand exactly what a homosexual is and I think that homosexuals should be allowed to adopt, but, as with other people, their lifestyles don't interfere with the child's ability to grow up without hassle, just like heterosexuals and they shouldn't be positively discriminated.