Wednesday, April 24, 2002
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Wednesday, April 24, 2002 |
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Gays should have all rights enjoyed by everyone else The viewpoint of William Maier on gay adoption is not only biased but faulty in logic and erroneous in fact. For example, Dr. Maier indicates that we really know "not much" about the effects of homosexual parenting on children, but then asserts that children raised by homosexuals are "known" to be more likely to experience gender and sexual confusion, become promiscuous, engage in homosexual activity as teenagers and young adults, etc. If so little is known about the effects of homosexual parenting on children, what, then, is the substantive basis for his assertion that such "disturbing facts" are known about children who are raised by homosexual parents? Specifically, such broad claims are simply not supported by the results of research to date. For example, Patterson (1992), in a review of research done on children of lesbian and gay parents, found that children of gay and lesbian parents did not differ significantly nor were they at any greater risk than children of heterosexual parents on many different variables, including development of gender identity, role behavior, sexual preference, risk for abuse and neglect, mental health variables, peer relationships, locus of control, moral judgment, self-concept, and intelligence. The research literature contains a plethora of similar results and findings. Dr. Maier then introduces two individual cases which lend no more weight to his bias than citing the case of Susan Smith who drowned her two sons to infer the fatal effects of heterosexual parenting on children. If we, as a society, are truly concerned about the physical and emotional welfare of our children, we should strive mightily to avoid such a rush to judgment as evidenced by Dr. Maier. Rather, we should consider adoption issues on an individual case basis, without bias or discrimination because of the sexual orientation of the adoptive parent(s). We should, furthermore, ensure the right to basic integrity and the pursuit of happiness, including a fulfilling relationship, for all our youth who discover that their sexual orientation is other than exclusively heterosexual. I would like to emphasize that a significant percentage of our population is homosexual (and bisexual) in orientation. Although different positions are taken by many, and there are conflicts and inconsistencies in the overall body of available research to date, most conscientious researchers and professionals view sexual orientation as the result of a complex interaction of contributing factors which likely includes heritable traits, environmental factors, upbringing, and other individual circumstances. The overall body of research also indicates that sexual orientation is not a result of conscious choice and is predominantly, if not completely, fixed by the time one reaches adulthood. I would like to see our society accept that people do not consciously choose their sexual orientation (which is equally as fixed for homosexuals as it is for heterosexuals), and, further, that people who are homosexual in orientation should be allowed to pursue personal happiness and the relationship of their choice with as much integrity and with the same rights as all citizens. This would make it imperative to insure that there is no discrimination in our nation against those with other than heterosexual orientations because of their sexual preference. Charles F. Hays, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist chazhays@abraxis.com
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