Based on data from the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau there are approximately 594,000 same-sex couple households living in the United States and 115,000 reported raising children (Lofquist, 2011). Of all same-sex couple households with own children present, 73 percent had only biological children, while 21 percent has either stepchildren only or adopted only. In same-sex unmarried partner households with own children, only 67 percent had only biological children compared with 80 percent in spouse households. Among both same-sex spousal and unmarried partner households, family units consisting of children of the partner or through adoption are common (Lofquist, 2011). As one can tell, lesbian and gay parents and their children are a unique and diverse group. These experiences are important to note as research has statistically documented no differences between children raised by same-sex parents compared to children raised by heterosexual parents on measures of psychological well-being, cognitive abilities, and parent-child relationship (Tasker & Patterson, 2007).
Most often, lesbian and gay parents and their children are suggested as subjects to prejudice because of their gender and sexual orientation. Even the American legal system such as legislators, professionals, judges, and the public turns against them, often deem negative remarks and give misleading information ( ). This stigmatized belief of lesbians and gay becomes a part of our society’s own perception because of false
Most often, lesbian and gay parents and their children are suggested as subjects to prejudice because of their gender and sexual orientation. Even the American legal system such as legislators, professionals, judges, and the public turns against them, often deem negative remarks and give misleading information ( ). This stigmatized belief of lesbians and gay becomes a part of our society’s own perception because of false