Gay Parenting

In recent years society is more open to the concept of accept gay marriage and parenting as a healthy, normal family structure. Critics of the model focus on the effects of gay families on children. Religion argues that it is unnatural for two same sex individuals to raise children as a family. Conservatives and traditionalists worry "gay genes" will be passed along blood lines or instilled in adoptive children. Still others wrongfully assume that homosexual parents are child molesters in the making. These criticisms cast a shadow on the special bonds felt between children and their homosexual parents.

The twenty-first century has seen leaps and bounds for homosexual couples who wish to have children. Test tube babies, surrogate mothers, in vitro fertilization and adoption are now widely available and the most prevalent technologies that gay couples may use to have children. It is outdated for critics to call these forms of becoming parents unnatural. Science has made it possible, for people who otherwise do not have the biological capabilities, to father or mother children on their own. This technology should be used and offered to any couple who wishes to have children and cannot; regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay adult love does not cancel out the desire for children. What is more natural than watching and aiding in a child's growth? Sexual orientation is just a different lens with which a parent can show a child the beauty of the world.

Critics of gay parenting argue against this family model by suggesting that homosexuals will force, biologically or socially, their sexual orientation onto their children. This assumption, simply stated, is untrue. Research has shown that gay and lesbian parents are more welcoming to their children playing with non gender centric toys and this would lead to the child having an easier time discovering his or her sexual orientation .

Biologically, scientists are still determining whether or not there is a biological cause to homosexuality. To date, it has been proven that there are genes that coincide with sexual orientation, but if these genes pass directly through the maternal or paternal line has yet to be discovered. The children of gay parents are no more or less likely to be gay than the children of single parents or straight parents or immigrant parents.

Sexual abuse and psychological damage are a large part of the criticisms against