Реферат: Gay Parenting Essay Research Paper Lesbian and

Other Aspects of Personal Development

Studies of other aspects of personal development among children of gay and lesbian parents have assessed a broad array of

characteristics. Among these have been separation-individuation (Steckel, 1985, 1987), psychiatric evaluations (Golombok et

al., 1983; Kirkpatrick et al., 1981), assessments of behavior problems (Flaks, Ficher, Masterpasqua and Joseph, 1995;

Golombok et al., 1983; Patterson, 1994a), personality (Gottman, 1990), self-concept (Gottman, 1990; Huggins, 1989;

Patterson, 1994a; Puryear, 1983), locus of control (Puryear, 1983; Rees, 1979), moral judgment (Rees, 1979), and

intelligence (Green et al., 1986). Research has shown that concerns about difficulties in personal development in these areas

among children of lesbian mothers are unwarranted. As was the case for sexual identity, studies of these other aspects of

personal development have revealed no major differences between children of lesbian versus heterosexual mothers. One

statistically significant difference in self-concept emerged in Patterson’s (1994a) study: children of lesbian mothers reported

greater symptoms of stress but also a greater overall sense of well-being than did children in a comparison group of

heterosexual families. The responses of both groups were, however, within a normal range (Patterson, 1994a). Overall, the

belief that children of gay and lesbian parents suffer deficits in personal development has no empirical foundation.

Social Relationships

Studies assessing potential differences between children of gay and lesbian versus heterosexual parents have sometimes

included assessments of children’s social relationships. The most common focus of attention has been on peer relations, but

some information on children’s relationships with adults has also been collected. Research findings that address the likelihood of

sexual abuse are also summarized in this section.

Research on peer relations among children of lesbian mothers has been reported by Golombok and her colleagues (1983),

Green (1978), and by Green and his colleagues (1986). Reports by both parents and children suggest normal development of

peer relationships. For example, as would be expected, most school-aged children reported same-sex best friends and

predominantly same-sex peer groups (Golombok et al., 1983; Green, 1978). The quality of children’s peer relations was

described, on average, in positive terms by researchers (Golombok et al., 1983) as well as by lesbian mothers and their

children (Green et al., 1986).

No data on the children of gay fathers have been reported in this area.

Studies of relationships with adults among the offspring of lesbian and gay parents have also yielded a generally positive picture

(Golombok et al., 1983; Harris & Turner, 1985/86; Kirkpatrick et al., 1981). For example, Golombok and her colleagues

(1983) found that children of divorced lesbian mothers were more likely to have had recent contact with their fathers than were

children of divorced heterosexual mothers. Another study, however, found no differences in this regard (Kirkpatrick et al.,