Homosexuals make great parents

Introduction Thank you for your response. My opponent cites counter sources to my own in order to justify her position. Now, obviously this whole debate was probably destined to be about throwing as many sources as possible at each other and then criticizing each other’s sources, but I’m going to pull out a source that will show that the sources that find no difference between same-sex parenting and heterosexual parenting are generally flawed due to the selection of families in each study, and the amount of families studied. “A persistent claim by those supporting same-sex marriages is that there is “no difference” in the outcomes of children raised by a biological mother and father and those who have been raised by two women or two men. That claim was made to the courts below, and will no doubt be made to this Court by associations like the American Psychological Association (“APA”). But as recent scholarship indicates, the claim is difficult to support because nearly all of the studies upon which the “no difference” assertion is based are rather limited, involving non-random, non representative samples, often with relatively few participants. Specifically, the vast majority of the studies were based on samples of fewer than 100 parents (or children), and typically representative only of well-educated, white women (parents), often with elevated incomes. These are hardly representative samples of the lesbian and gay population raising children, and therefore not a sufficient basis to make broad claims about child outcomes of same-sex parenting structures.”(1) Rebuttals My opponent cites the Melbourne study to counter my arguments on how same-sex couples suffer significantly and substantially higher rates of partner relationship breakups, psychological disorder, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempt, completed suicide, conduct disorder, and substance abuse. You see, the Melbourne study is actually a very flawed study. The study is notorious for actually advertising the study they were conducting and actually hand picking volunteer gay families for the research. (2) A good study must be one with completely random samples and a large amount of families studied. A study that actually picks the families that have volunteered (logically a volunteer family will be one of a stable house-hold) will of course be flawed. “No study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents.” Actually I already gave studies that showed same-sex couples are disadvantaged in raising children. “Ellen C. Perrin, MD, professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston stated that studies show that children of same sex parents do as well as children whose parents are heterosexual in every way.” Until you can give me specific studies, this statement should be disregarded because anyone can say anything about certain studies. I don’t care about what someone says these studies concluded, I care about the consistency of the studies themselves. “Study done by the American academy of child adolescent found the following. Children of same sex parents are not more likely to be gay than children with heterosexual parents. Children of same sex parents are not more likely to be sexually abused. Children of same sex parents do not show differences in whether they think of themselves as male or female (gender identity). Children of same sex parents do not show differences in their male and female behaviors (gender role behavior).” This study completely contradicts the first study you posted, which stated that children of same-sex couples were more likely to be homosexual, and also showed differences and independence in gender role behavior and gender identity. In fact, the narth study you posted contradicts ¾ of that study’s conclusion! (3) In addition, after looking at your source they didn’t even do their own research on the matter, all it says is “from current research…” I have already shown that generally, current research on same-sex couples raising children is flawed. My opponent cites the AAP to counter my arguments on some of the negative affects same-sex parenting can biologically bring. “The AAP looked at a relatively small handful of studies which only examined white, almost entirely middle-class lesbian-headed families. The number of families studied was not a sample size that met research standards, and low-income couples and gay parenting couples were not even a part of most of the studies.”(4) “Nowhere in any of the AAP’s article or the research it cited is the most fundamental question asked: To what kind of heterosexual home is the AAP comparing the children from lesbian homes?”(4) “The AAP — nor any of the studies they cite in their statement — mention what form of hetero-homes they are comparing the lesbian-parented kids to.”(4) In addition, the AAP is notorious for already supporting gay marriage and same-sex parenting, which may lead to certain bias in studies they have conducted. (4) My opponent argues that because there are individuals that have turned out well. I don’t contend that there are children that have been raised well by same-sex parents. I previously stated that we are arguing from a general standpoint, and not an individual standpoint. “Also a lot of young boys in heterosexual households feel pressured to act in a masculine way because of society. This why a lot of men commit violent crimes as they get older. Boys of lesbian parents don't have this problem because they are free to express them selves and they don't have people constantly telling them no that's a girls thing or not that's a boy thing.” Regardless of what home you are raised in, everyone is pressured into certain gender roles. Children raised by heterosexual parents naturally, and biologically fulfill these gender roles. It is children of same-sex couples that are confused and pressured into gender roles since they have not been raised in an environment that supports these roles. Your statement on crimes among men is not scientifically supported. “Same sex violence isn't more common than heterosexual violence. Studies have shown that there both around the same area. Neither are higher or lower than each other” Cite the studies. “I also wanna throw in that divorce rates amoung heterosexual couples have rised. Around 50% of married couples in the us today are divorced. So if anyone is having relationship resolving issues, its definitely heterosexual couples.” This is a false statement. The divorce rates all-together among married couples is between 40-50%(5) “But homosexuality won't be apart of the social norm because we will all ways have those right wing conservatives who fight to keep homosexuality out of the social norm so you comment is irrelevent.” You’re arguments don’t work because they are not inherent among homosexual couples. I agree that there must be love and care in a home, what I argue is that homosexual couples still cannot biologically raise children well, nor do they put children in a psychologically sound environment. I agree with my opponent on how in some cases gender rolling isn’t advantageous, however I argue from an overall stand point of the efficiency of the society, gender roles are advantageous. Conclusion My opponent’s sources are flawed, and for as long as I can show they are flawed and my own source on same-sex couples stands, then I win this debate. Sources http://www.adfmedia.org... http://www.mercatornet.com... http://www.narth.com... http://www.citizenlink.com... http://www.apa.org...