The No Difference Theory is Correct

It is certainly a pleasure to debate you on this topic. I. Self esteem Dr. Ellen Perrin noted that, “The vast consensus of all the studies show that children of same-sex parents do as well as children whose parents are heterosexual in every way – in some ways, children of same-sex parenting actually may have an advantage over other family structures – they did better in discipline, self-esteem, and had less psychological difficulties at home and at school. ” (Emphasis mine) (Chang) It should also be noted that other studies have shown that same-sex parents also had contact with extended family, social support, and had more equitable division of labour in the home. Consequently, this led to better up-bringing for the child (ibid). In conclusion, there is no difference in regards to children in regards to their self-esteem. In some ways, LGBT parenting may be an advantage to some children. II. Commitment Abbie Pappas, a senior writer from Live Science, reported (Pappas)…: Gay parents "tend to be more motivated, more committed than heterosexual parents on average, because they chose to be parents," said Abbie Goldberg, a psychologist at Clark University in Massachusetts who researches gay and lesbian parenting. Gays and lesbians rarely become parents by accident, compared with an almost 50 percent accidental pregnancy rate among heterosexuals, Goldberg said. "That translates to greater commitment on average and more involvement. " Research has shown that the kids of same-sex couples — both adopted and biological kids — fare no worse than the kids of straight couples on mental health, social functioning, school performance and a variety of other life-success measures. In a 2010 review of virtually every study on gay parenting, New York University sociologist Judith Stacey and University of Southern California sociologist Tim Biblarz found no differences between children raised in homes with two heterosexual parents and children raised with lesbian parents. "There's no doubt whatsoever from the research that children with two lesbian parents are growing up to be just as well-adjusted and successful" as children with a male and a female parent," Stacey told LiveScience. III. Social behvaiour Another study done by LiveScience also reports the following (Moskowitz): "The bottom line is that the science shows that children raised by two same-gender parents do as well on average as children raised by two different-gender parents," said Timothy Biblarz, a sociologist at the University of Southern California. "This is obviously inconsistent with the widespread claim that children must be raised by a mother and a father to do well. " Another study found that kids with two moms or two dads were no more likely than their counterparts in "traditional" homes to engage in delinquent activities, such as damaging others' property, shoplifting and getting into fights. With regards to the consequence of social behavior, there is no difference. IV. Final notes: Gay vs. StraightA. Testimonials from Children I think it would be important to show what children who have been raised by LGBT parents have thought of their up-bringing. Jessey Levey notes, “I am well-adjusted to heterosexual whose upbringing proves that love, not gender, makes a family…My family had strong family values. I was raised in a loving, caring household that let me be a free thinker…I’m tired of hearing that their family isn’t legitimate. ” (Blake) In fact, the overwhelming testimonial have been positive. Abigail Garner wrote an entire book, Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell it Like it Is, with multiple cases of times where children of LGBT parents have had literally “no difference. ” Resolution affirmed. Bibliography Chang, Louise. Researchers Say Children Who Grow Up in Households With Gay Parents Have Normal Self-Esteem. 12 August 2005. Document. 23 August 2012. <. http://tinyurl.com... >. Moskowitz, Clara. 5 Myths About Gay People Debunked. 25 March 2011. Document. August 23 2012. <. http://www.livescience.com... >. Pappas, Stephanie. Why Gay Parents May Be the Best Parents. 15 January 2012. Document. 23 August 2012. <. http://www.livescience.com... >.