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Originally posted by Autokrat
I live in Washington State in the US and currently there is a referendum for a domestic union law that would give same sex couples the same rights as married couples. Now, I’m strongly in favor of supporting the referendum based on my on ethical beliefs; however the anti-referendum side keeps mentioning that “studies show that children have a healthier social live in traditional marriages.”

Now, I put little stock in statements like that, especially since these anti referendum sites have no actual data posted (and use a number of slippery slope arguments), but since I like to look at every aspect of an issue before I vote on it, I was wondering if anyone here knew of any studies on children in same sex unions and any effects it has on the children.

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"Study: Same-Sex Parents Raise Well-Adjusted Kids" WebMD

Washington—Children growing up in same-sex parental households do not necessarily have differences in self-esteem, gender identity, or emotional problems from children growing up in heterosexual parent homes.

"Between 1 million and 6 million children in the U.S. are being reared by committed lesbian or gay couples," says Ellen C. Perrin, MD, professor of pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. She revealed the findings at the American Academy of Pediatrics Conference and Exhibition.

"The vast consensus of all the studies shows that children of same-sex parents do as well as children whose parents are heterosexual in every way," she tells WebMD. "In some ways children of same-sex parents actually may have advantages over other family structures."

Researchers looked at information gleaned from 15 studies on more than 500 children, evaluating possible stigma, teasing and social isolation, adjustment and self-esteem, opposite gender role models, sexual orientation, and strengths.

Studies from 1981 to 1994 . . . found no differences in intelligence, type or prevalence of psychiatric disorders, self-esteem, well-being, peer relationships, couple relationships, or parental stress.

Another study . . . found no differences in behavior, adjustment, gender identity, and peer relationships.

Two other large studies . . . found that same-sex parents also had contact with extended family, had social support, and had a more equitable division of labor in the home.

Children seem to adjust better when there is a more equal division of labor in the home and the parental relationship with the children had a higher rating, she says.

Carol Berkowitz, MD, former president of AAP, says this analysis is important in that it combines evidence-based studies.

"This subject evokes a lot of emotions," she says. "Some of the studies on this subject in the past have been weighted and biased, based on nothing more than the researcher's views."

Evidence-based studies are important in helping pediatricians in their practices and creating policy for the future, she says.

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Originally posted by Nemesis X
Well if children have gay parents, there might be a 40 or 50% chance that the children will grow up to be gay as well but this is just speculation at the moment although I wouldn't be surprised if this is how gay people are increasing these days. A child would do things their parents do because they think if what the parent does is completely alright and in my honest opinion, no it's not. Just because a parent smokes or drinks alcohol doesn't mean that you should do the same as what they're doing.

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Originally posted by inimalist
well, come on, if it isn't through adopting and indoctrinating straight kids, how else would people become gay?

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Originally posted by Robtard
That was all very odd, but the oddest was the "this is how gay people are increasing these days" statement.

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Originally posted by ArtificialGlory
It sure can't have anything to do with the fact that more and more homosexual people are admitting to their sexual preferences because of increasing social acceptance. Not a damn chance.

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Originally posted by Nemesis X
Well if children have gay parents, there might be a 40 or 50% chance that the children will grow up to be gay as well but this is just speculation at the moment although I wouldn't be surprised if this is how gay people are increasing these days. A child would do things their parents do because they think if what the parent does is completely alright and in my honest opinion, no it's not. Just because a parent smokes or drinks alcohol doesn't mean that you should do the same as what they're doing.

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Originally posted by Wei Phoenix
Hell no?! This can't be, gay people are raising children to be gay? This is their sick way to increase their ranks and outnumbering us pure and holy one? Nemesis, what do we stop this evil plan?

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Originally posted by Nemesis X
...Are you being sarcastic on me now?

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Originally posted by Adam_PoE