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Lesbians Make Better Parents?

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 20:01
Submitted by Suzanne

According to new research, children raised by lesbians are more aspirational than those with opposite-sex parents.  The suggestion is that same-sex couples make better parents because children cannot be conceived accidentally - parents must make an active decision to adopt or find a sperm donor.  

I say beware of research conclusions that favor one gendered group over another. There exists too much within and between group variability to help us really understand human experience. This holds true regarding comparisons between gay/lesbian parenting and heterosexual parenting.

The reasons stated for why lesbians are believed to be better parents is because they can't have "accidental" pregnancies. This speaks more to the quality of parenting when having children is mindfully discussed and planned, not a quality that is part and parcel of lesbian experience. Just because lesbians can't accidentally procreate doesn't mean that lesbian partners may not disagree about wanting children, how to parent, or whether to divorce--all factors that could also affect the quality of parenting.

All this to say that quality of relationship stabilty and parenting are are what counts and these factors are equal opportunity across gender categories.

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Eh?

Thu, 11/19/2009 - 21:19
Anonymous User (not verified)

Straight infertile couples make active decisions to adopt or find a sperm donor too. I fail to see how sexual orientation determines anything here really.

Different Perspective

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 14:42
The Nerd (not verified)

I agree that this does seem to focus too much on a difference between lesbian couples and other couples that isn't always there. But it does one important thing: it validates the fact that lesbians can be good parents. I for one am tired of the "think of the children" argument against homosexuality. Heterosexual couples don't have a monopoly on love and commitment to raising healthy children.

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