With the number of Americans in support of gay marriage and gay adoption on the rise, a new study claiming that adult children of same-sex parents fare worse socially, psychologically, and physically was sure to spark controversy. And indeed, critics are attacking
the study as deeply flawed, arguing that it fails to convincingly
counteract the decades of research proving that children of gay and
lesbian parents are not disadvantaged in any way. Here, a guide to the
new study's findings, and the attacks on its credibility:
What did this study say?Mark
Regenerus, an associate professor of sociology at the University of
Texas at Austin, surveyed nearly 3,000 U.S. adults, ages 18 to 39, about
their upbringings and current lifestyles. He asked questions about
income, relationship stability, mental health, and history of sex abuse,
among other things, says ABC News.
Respondents who reported having a parent who at some point had a
same-sex relationship scored differently than those raised by
biological, still-married parents in 25 of the study's 40 measures, and
were "more likely to be on welfare, have a history of depression, have
less education, and report a history of sexual abuse."
Why is the study being criticized?Because it's "fraudulent," says Zack Ford at Think Progress. Respondents were asked whether a parent ever had "a romantic relationship of the same sex," but did not ask whether they were raised
by a same-sex couple. Identifying a parent who at some point had a gay
relationship "is not the same as identifying a parent who is gay,
lesbian, or bisexual in a functional relationship," says Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin. "Had the study actually focused on 'same-sex families,'" it may have been worthwhile, says John Corvino at The New Republic. As it stands, the evidence is "illogical and unfair."
Are there other complaints?The study
was not longitudinal, relying on respondents' memories to answer
questions instead of measuring their development over time, says Ford.
The respondents also grew up in the '70s, '80s, and '90s, "when
same-sex relationships were more heavily stigmatized." Therefore, "the
study doesn't really have anything to do with the same-sex families of
today," says Dr. Jenna Saul, a child psychologist.
Is the author of the study credible?Not
according to some critics. To begin with, the study was funded by the
Witherspoon Institute and the Bradley Foundation, which are "commonly
known for their support of conservative causes," says ABC News
— though the groups had no part in the study's design and analysis.
Study author Regenerus is "a social conservative who writes from an
evangelical perspective," says Ford. For his part, Regenerus says that the study "was not intended as a political statement."
And other studies contradict Rengerus' report?Yes.
Detailed, highly regarded studies from the American Psychological
Association and the Child Welfare League of America have found no
differences between children of same-sex parents and those of
heterosexual parents.
What lessons can we learn from this controversy?Regenerus studied people "who engaged in same-sex relationships — and often broke up their households — decades ago," says William Saletan at Slate.
That "doesn't document the failure of same-sex marriage. It documents
the failure of the closet, broken, and unstable households that preceded
same-sex marriage." The important lesson here, says Ross Douthat at The New York Times, is that "we need fewer broken homes among gays, just as we do among" heterosexuals.
1 comment:
"The important lesson here, says Ross Douthat at The New York Times, is that "we need fewer broken homes among gays, just as we do among" heterosexuals."
Well said. There is still this prevelant idea that gay families in general are more "dysfunctional"...and so children in gay families then are perceived to be at some disadvantage from the get go. And this study may have that bias already.
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