An Evaluation of Gay/Lesbian and Heterosexual Adoption

Many experts in the helping professions have agreed that there is no scientific credence to support a gay and lesbian adoption ban. Nevertheless, there continues to be persistent mythology pertaining to outcomes for children adopted by gay and lesbian parents. This position may be somewhat due to the dearth of research that compares heterosexual and homosexual parenting outcomes with adopted children. To respond to this gap in the literature, this study explored the extent of emotional and behavioral problems among children aged 1.5 to 5 years (n=380) and 6 to 18 years (n=1,004) with gay and lesbian or heterosexual adoptive parents. A multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association between the dependent variables (child internalizing and externalizing behavior) on adoptive parent sexual orientation (gay and lesbian or heterosexual) while controlling for child age, child sex, pre-adoptive maltreatment, co-sibling adoption, adoption preparation, family income, and family functioning. As hypothesized, results indicted that child internalizing and externalizing behavior was not contingent upon adoptive parent sexual orientation. Rather, regardless of sexual orientation, adoptive parents are likely to encounter similar challenges in terms of risk factors for child behavioral problems and mitigating factors of such behavior. Recommendations for practice, policy, and future research are highlighted.

许多救助行业的专家都认为，没有科学依据支持禁止同性恋者收养孩子。然而，关于同性恋父母收养的孩子的成长结果，一直存在着一些不实的说法。这种情况可能在一定程度上是由于缺乏将异性恋和同性恋养育收养儿童的结果进行比较的研究。为了填补文献中的这一空白，本研究探讨了1.5至5岁（n = 380）和6至18岁（n = 1004）由同性恋或异性恋养父母抚养的儿童的情绪和行为问题的程度。采用多元回归分析来评估因变量（儿童的内化和外化行为）与养父母性取向（同性恋或异性恋）之间的关联，同时控制儿童年龄、儿童性别、收养前受虐待情况、兄弟姐妹共同被收养情况、收养准备情况、家庭收入和家庭功能。正如所假设的那样，结果表明儿童的内化和外化行为并不取决于养父母的性取向。相反，无论性取向如何，养父母在儿童行为问题的风险因素和此类行为的缓解因素方面都可能面临类似的挑战。文中强调了对实践、政策和未来研究的建议。