Kiddipedia
by Shane Warren
In recent years all across the globe, we have witnessed a growing public debate about the rights of same-sex attracted couples being allowed to marry. Echoing down the halls of this debate constantly is the discussion does a same-sex couple constitute a family; and can they raise children the “right way”!?
It is easy to default to what one might suggest is an indisputable argument that being love is love and a family is about love, but the facts are in with more and more evidence-based research suggesting that the children of same-sex relationships are doing more than just okay…
Let’s explore two of the arguments; and what studies suggest in relation to these myths:
Same-sex relationships tend to be unstable and more likely to break up
Early studies found that married and non-married opposite-sex couples tended to sustain longer relationships than same-sex couples. A significant 2012 research project from the UK found consistency within this study but clearly identified a number of social pressures amongst other things meant that same-sex relationships confronted stronger outside challenges around the legitimacy of their relationship placing undue pressure on the dynamic.
The challenge these early studies confronted is that they had less marriage based same-sex relationships to compare with, and there are very few reputable studies that looked at same-sex relationships with children.
Since more states around the world have legalised same-sex marriage and adoption or co-parenting dynamics recognising same-sex couples we now have a broader sample to compare with studies from all over the globe affirming the gaps in the stability of same-sex and different-sex relationships are diminishing. With recent figures indicating that of married same-sex couples there is a divorce rate of around 1%; as opposed to a rate of 2% within opposite-sex couples; in sample groups of couples from similar backgrounds, education levels and the like.
Children in same-sex relationships struggle:
It’s true that there is a large body of evidence to show that stability in marriage and family life is beneficial for children, particularly in early childhood. But these studies have not involved comparisons between opposite-sex and same-sex married couples.
A review study undertaken by the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne found family processes which are about parenting quality, parental well-being, the quality of and satisfaction with relationships within the family are what affects the outcomes of a childhood success; rather than family structures that make a more meaningful difference to children’s well-being and positive development.
This review study affirms findings by the University of Melbourne’s 2014 research project of 500 children from same-sex families that concluded in general Children of same-sex parents enjoy better levels of health and wellbeing than their peers from traditional family units.
You may also like to read:
Kiddipedia Welcomes Rainbow Families!
