same sex adoption

Same-Sex Adoption Rights
Erica Sheppard
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
POLS-480

My topic is over same-sex couples being allowed to adopt children nationally. The issues with this topic are the following questions, “Do lesbians and gays make good parents?”, “Does the sexual preference of the parent have an effect on the child, or potential psychological effects?”. Goldberg, (2012) a psychologist who researches gay and lesbian parenting noted “gay parents tend to be more motivated and committed than heterosexual parents on average because they choose to be parents.” (p.5) Research shows that an almost 50 percent accidental pregnancy rate among heterosexuals. “That translates to greater commitment on average and more involvement.”
Research has shown that the kids being raised by same-sex couples fare no worse than the kids with straight couples on mental health, social functioning, school performance, and a variety of other life-success measures. In a 2010 study on gay parenting, New York University Sociologist Tim Biblarz found no differences between children raised in homes with heterosexual parents and children raised with homosexual parents. “There’s no doubt whatsoever from the research that children with two gay parents are growing up to be just as well-adjusted and successful.” (Biblarz, 2010, p.5)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of children living with same-sex parents have doubled since 2000. It is important to have the law of homosexuals being able to adopt in numerous states because the number of children that are up for adoption or in foster care is increasing. As of 2010, 4 percent of adopted children and 3 percent of foster children in the U.S. are living with same-sex parents. (National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connection, 2010, p.11) Saturday April 5th, Umma Azul, a daughter of a lesbian couple was baptized by the Catholic Church in Argentina with President Cristina Fernandez acting as the godmother. Even when same-sex marriage has become legal in Argentina, it is not sanctioned by the Catholic Church, so far. Although in other countries similar events are not surprising, including Spain, the fact is unprecedented for a lesbian marriage in Argentina, homeland of Pope Francisco who as Archbishop of Buenos Aires opposed gay marriage, although advocating granting gays baptism in a country 75% Catholic. “This has set a record, the Church has opened a big door after much struggle and discrimination…
Umma Azul is like all children. That is the message: we are all equal, all are equal in the world, heterosexual and gay, we all have the same rights.” mother’s Carina Villarroel and Soledad Ortiz (2014) said.
Issues like gay marriage, civil unions, abortion, adoption by same-sex couples communion for the divorced and birth control which have been taboo for the Catholic Church were contained in a questionnaire sent to bishops around the world, who are expected to make decisions.
Pope Francis (2013) last summer told the media aboard a flight to Rome, “Who am I to judge” gay people? Two months later, in September 2013, Francis said the church has the right to express its opinions but not to “interfere spiritually” in the lives of gays and lesbians.
This current event supports one of the main opposing viewpoints on homosexuals, as well as homosexuals adopting children. Majority of religions and churches forbid same sex marriage and adoption, and for Pope Francis in Argentina to allow this act is incredible. This comes to show that not all religious communities are against homosexuality.
The results in my survey reflects that majority of the people who took the survey were not adopted children, were Christian, and said they think same-sex couples being allowed to adopt is wrong. By the outcome of the survey results, it concludes that the majority of my sample population was anti same-sex adoption. The correlation of those opposing same sex adoption and those who are catholic is direct and significant.
One way I plan to be civically engaged is by becoming an advocate for adoption, supporting/involvement in organizations and spreading the word amongst others. By becoming an advocate, I will need to stay current on the news relating to same-sex couples adoption. I can research about the laws and acts on gay adoption rights, talk to other experts, and also join message boards related to the topic. Another thing I would like to do is to volunteer at an existing LGBT organization. I can start, join, or attend a group or event. A great way to get the word out about giving same-sex couples the right to adopt is by organizing a social networking rally on Facebook. In this case, all of your friends can see and read what you have to say about the specific topic. You never know how your opinions and thoughts can positively influence your friends. Your voice will definitely be heard.
Two viewpoints I want to discuss about are the thoughts and opinions from the religious community and the child welfare community. These two groups have the opposing viewpoints on same-sex couples being able to adopt. The child welfare groups are for same-sex adoption, while the religious community is against. The Catholic League’s president, William Donahue, announced that gay adoption is unwise and unnatural. “Same-sex couples, as well as single persons, lack the requisites provided by nature that would allow them to be a father and a mother, thus rendering them a poor substitute and inadequate role model for parenting. (Donahue, 2006, p.1)
Former San Francisco Archbishop, William Levada claimed that he was aware of a handful of gay adoptions during his tenure in California and at the time he saw them as prudential judgments and they shall not continue.
The Vatican has said that gay adoptions are “gravely immoral” and “would actually mean doing violence to those children.”
In 2006, Catholic charities the allowing same-sex couples to adopt runs counter to church teachings on homosexuality.
In the religious community, majority sees homosexuality wrong because that what it says in the bible and that’s what they abide by. While on the other hand, the child welfare community support same-sex adoption to the fullest.
The Child Welfare League of America’s official position is that gay, lesbian and bisexual parents are as well suited to raise children as their heterosexual counterparts. “ The CWLA supports the case by case placements of children in qualified adoptive homes and those homes can include gay men and lesbians," (CWLA, 2006, p.2) A national adoption organization, strongly supports the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt, and urges that remaining obstacles be removed. "The bottom line for those of us who advocate for children is clear," said Adam Pertman, the Executive Director of the Adoption Institute in a March 23, 2006 statement. "There's simply no credible research to indicate that children are harmed in any way when they're adopted by gay and lesbian parents, but there's lots of evidence to indicate that they do well in those homes." (The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, 2006, p.3)
Many adoption agencies do not judge on whether the parents are homosexual, the main reason for adoption is to give a child a home that it’s never had and to love and nurture it. With the number of children in foster care or up for adoption is too high to be discriminating against homosexuals and judging whether their suitable parents or not for a child.
Candelaria Mota, a part of the National Youth Advocate Program explains that they are looking for couples of individuals to open up their hearts and homes to the children in need of a home and parents. Despite their gender, the program is always going to need more foster parents adopting because of the large number of kids that are in foster care waiting to get picked up and taken home. (CBS12 News, 2014)
There are plenty of ways for you and other people to support the issue and to be engaged. It’s simple. A couple ways are to attend a LBGT parade, attend an event on National Adoption Day, or simply follow the Human Rights Campaign on Facebook or Twitter to be updated on the latest news on same-sex marriage and adoption. Something that is fun and exciting is the Gay Pride Parade held by the LBGT Campaign. It is open for everyone and is a great way to get involved the same-sex community by just having a great time.
National Adoption day is an annual one day event that has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families. Their goals are to finalize adoptions from foster care in all 50 states, celebrate and honor families who adopt, Raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting for permanent, loving homes, Encourage others to adopt children from foster care, and to build collaboration among local adoption agencies, courts and advocacy organizations. (2013, p.1) You can make a difference! You can even create your own event for National Adoption Day. Your event can be a press conference for local media, a party or picnic to celebrate families who have adopted children from foster care, or an adoption fair with information about adopting and local community resources. Anything counts for help and support.
In conclusion, homosexuals face barriers with many laws and make it very difficult to adopt. It is a long process and takes patience and time. Considering that I come from a very religious family I still believe that same sex couples should be allowed by the law and churches to marry, adopt, and be a happy loving family no matter what kind of sexual preference they may have. It’s what makes that person happy I feel that matters most. I argue for this issue to make homosexual rights equal to heterosexual rights in regards to adoption. Don’t make it harder for the children to wait in foster cares until a same-sex couple can take them home. We should all have equal rights no matter what sexual preference we may have.