The No Difference Theory is Correct

Seems the two biggest gay supporters/traditionalists clash on an important social issue. I. Self Esteem This point brought up to my opponent brings up strong evidence to one who merely looks at the studies and calls a quits. However, the studies my opponent cited are from 1989 – the late 90’s. Now this is not criticizing the age as in social science age matters little. However, the date is important due to the age of my source. In 2001, two sociologists decided to research the idea of homosexuals being “equal”. Instead of its own data, it merely looked into the accuracy of the previous studies. And, the results where not surprising to say the least, and extremely interesting to say the most. The study found profound systemic and methodological problems in these studies and much of them time extreme bias from the authors. The study concluded: “We conclude that the methods used in these studies are so flawed that these studies prove nothing. Therefore, they should not be used in legal cases to make any argument about ‘homosexual vs. hetero- sexual’ parenting. Their claims have no basis.”[1] Now to get specific, these studies found errors have been replicated by many other reports. One was published in 2004, when the famous APA brief decided to take these same studies as “fact”, and two others in 2012. All of these will be cited today. For example, the 2004 results published in a law review found all preexisting studies where flawed and all had problems. My opponent likely agrees: sample size is important, yes? Well sorry to say it: all studies that say no difference have too small of a sample size (except Cameron 1996). Other problems where non-random samples in these studies. Many of them would take wealthy homosexuals and compare to single, middle class, divorced heterosexuals obviously slanting the results in favor to the homosexuals. Many social scientists that have been called by gay activists in the courts actually say they cannot make any valid conclusions, as the evidence is so weak [2]. To conclude, the point my opponent seemed so certain about had no basis [1]. II. Commitment One must look into the merits of the study my opponent has posted. Using a mere statistic (the only source I could find the sample size on the study) was not surprising. Like all of its ancestors, it has little sample size. It only had 35 lesbian participants [3]. Studies using sample sizes from credible organizations—like knowledge networks, which calculate samples the right size, to be representative of a certain group—reach opposite conclusions. These studies have actually found, on average, children raised in homosexual households do worse then those in heterosexual ones. This study also had the largest sample size in the industry. They have been found more likely to have been molested by parents, and be involved in drugs, crime, and other negative social outcomes then their heterosexual brethren [4]. Also, this 2010 social study was criticized by the one recently cited as it showed the studies in that 2010 brief are flawed (discussed earlier as well) [4]. III. Social Behavior This study was criticized also, yes the exact one you have cited. The study itself has noted the overall gay parenting has more negatives then positives. The study notes, “Their daunting routes to parenthood seem likely to select more for strengths than limitations.” What does this mean? It means much of the time these homosexuals are previously married and them coming out of the closet leads to much turmoil. It has also been shown the absence of a mother or father (even if it is temporary) harms the children’s development [4]. Lets explain my studies results further. After controlling for marriage laws (he has a weighted system controlling for “possible” marriage “discrimination”). He found even after controlling for marriage those families where much less stable. And as he noted “children like stability”. These homosexuals have more affairs, fights, higher parent molestation rates (sadly), and more of them had gender problems. Most of the population is straight, only 3% is gay, and the study found much higher homosexual rates coming from these homes. This means, likely, these parents can affect these children’s outcomes. Whether this is good or bad is irrelevant—it is still a difference—and I would prefer not get into a debate on whether being gay is ok. Further, he has found based on his interviews a statistically significant difference amongst the groups of their perceived negative impacts. Family of origin negative impacts when comparing heterosexuals and homosexuals had a significance of (P < 0.05) which is significant in this study. Overall academic achievement was also lower in homosexual groups [4]. IV. Personal stories Many personal stories of different homosexuals have found the opposite effect. These testimonials focus mainly on their grades and such, however many of them feel “confused” on the inside. The study I have been continually using had about 250 kids; all of them have stories of the negative to tell. His is the only study with this very large sample size to say the least. All of these stories are dissenting opinion to my opponent’s case [5]. V. Can Fathers be mothers, and vice versa? This is, essentially, the heart of the debate. If these two cannot be interchanged, then how will be the same? Luckily for me, they are different. It has been found fathers have “something unique to fathers that provides children with different opportunities to regulate their emotions”. Mothers have also been seen to be very important in early development as well as being able to care for the child in later life. The fathers act as teachers in many ways, and the mothers more as caretakers (even if that is not their goal the child perceives this that way). It has also been found fathers are more strict even then lesbian women, and mothers are calmer and will negotiate more. Both of these are different and a child needs both. Nearly all evidence, (not counted in these evidence reports as it is not directly related to parenting) notes both parents are essential, and missing one of the other is not beneficial. Two men might be good fathers, two women good mothers; neither can be both [6]. This short case above negates the resolution. VI: Conclusion In Summary to my opponents “evidence” will be the quote I have already brought up, “Therefore, they [current gay studies] should not be used in legal cases to make any argument about ‘homosexual vs. hetero- sexual’ parenting. Their claims have no basis.”[1] Resolution clearly negated. [1] Robert Lerner and Althea K. Nagai, “No Basis: What the Studies Don’t Tell Us About Same Sex Parenting” Washington: Ethics and Public Policy Center, (2001) [2] Maggie Gallagher and Joshua K. Baker “Do Moms And Dads Matter? Evidence From The Social Sciences On Family structure And The Best Interests Of The Child” Margins Law Journal, (2004) [3] http://www.christianpost.com...; [4] Mark Regnerus, “How different are the adult children of parents who have same-sex relationships? Findings from the New Family Structures Study,” Social Science Research Vol 41, Issue 4 (July 2012) [5] http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com... [6] A. Dean Byrd, Ph.D. “Gender Complimentary and Child-rearing: Where Tradition and Science agree” QUINNEY COLLEGE OF LAW, Vol. 6, (2005)