Parenting: Same Sex Couples Raising Today's Children

Parenting: Same Sex Couples Raising Today's Children

Abstract

This paper will shed light on an issue which is getting common these days in many western countries, about the raising of children in the modern era by same-sex couples. It will also look to throw light on the various points of views that are existent within the minds of the people in the society. The main purpose of this paper is to address the oft-repeated question of whether there is any marked difference in the way children are brought up by parents who belong to the same gender, and those who belong to the opposite sex. A thorough review of the existing literature on the subject will be carried out to back up the point of view presented through this paper with evidence, and all the sources have been acknowledged. On the basis of secondary research and various sources used through this paper, children brought up by same-sex parents and those brought up by parents belonging to different sexes, were not raised in any different way, although in some cases, the children raised by same-sex parents felt ashamed particularly in teenage. Hence, on the basis of the results, it was concluded that people's mindset needs to be changed with regards to the subject. A suitable way for such people could be to give it a thought before jumping to conclusions. In addition, the role of counseling for children with stigma due to being brought up by same-sex couples can go a long way in dealing with such social issues.

Introduction

Child upbringing is a difficult thing for the parents. A lot of hard work, patience and perseverance is required to raise children, in addition to the parents themselves making sure that they act as role models so that the children grow up to be socially acceptable. It is only now that there is growing realization and a level of acceptance about marriage of the same sex, although even with the level of acceptance in some parts of the world, there are different points of views about the upbringing of the children by the same sex couples, whether they be contracted through marriage or otherwise. There are many people who believe that being brought up by same-sex couples has an adverse affect on the children, through the child's teenage years till the time he matures and becomes an adult.

Conversely, other people are of the opinion that the upbringing of the children is not affected, whether the parents are of the same-sex or belong to the opposite sex. To separate fact from fiction in such cases, numerous studies have been conducted. Therefore, it is important that people draw conclusions on the basis of facts, and not on speculations, assumptions and conjecture. By taking into account the various studies conducted on the subject, this paper will look to enumerate the different viewpoints held by the people on the children's upbringing by parents belonging to the same sex, and the various ...