Penning acknowledges in this article the diverse views there are with regards to same sex couples desires to use IVF to enable them to have a child and the impact this may have on the child. Penning discusses and expresses his views on the theories and debates related to the ‘acceptability’ of same-sex couples parenting including; deontological, utilitarianism and ethics. The article discusses the core views of these theories/debates and their credibility when discussing the welfare of the child. As stated by Penning the four main points in the article include; the necessary and recommendable conditions for parenting with regards to the child’s welfare; a focus on sexual orientation; the stigmatization of the child; and how the situation can
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Firstly, the risk, yes, RISK of children becoming ‘homosexual’ themselves. Penning was also outraged by this bold statement saying, “this point presupposes that being homosexual is a mental illness.” Furthermore, he suggests that the only ‘disadvantage’ of the child following their parents sexual orientation would be the hostility received from society. There is evidence available that shows 30% of children who had same-sex parents identified themselves as being gay or lesbian as an adult (Cameron, 200, pg413). This shows a relatively low score, of children who later in life identified themselves as gay or lesbian. However, this study can’t be fully reliable as there is no comparative measure against children with the different-sex parents. The argument Penning puts forward seems to be more plausible as the ‘Gay British Crime Survey’ shows (www.stonewall.org.uk) “In 2013 hate crimes and incidents remain a serious issue in Britain with one in six lesbian, gay and bisexual people experiencing a homophobic hate crime or incident over the last three years.” This information provides a more reliable source of data and shows an overall larger percent of people, therefore it seems that a bigger risk to the child would be that of the hostility from the wider society rather than the ‘risk’ of following their parents sexual …show more content…
(Biblarz and Stacey, 2010) cited in (Penning, 2014) say “children need dual-gender parents to learn appropriate gender-role behaviour and to develop normally.” This is essentially the only point I could mildly agree with, as learning gender roles are important, however surely this can be achieved through different means e.g. role play or there being a different sex model within the child’s life and should not become a reason why gay or lesbian couples can’t bring up a child. Contrary evidence to above says, (williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu) “many adolescents with lesbian mothers report having male role models in their lives, but even those without male role models evidence good psychological functioning and show no differences in traditionally masculine or feminine traits.” This evidence majorly flaws the notion we need both a mother and father which proves there is little strength to the claim a child needs both a mother and a
Firstly, the risk, yes, RISK of children becoming ‘homosexual’ themselves. Penning was also outraged by this bold statement saying, “this point presupposes that being homosexual is a mental illness.” Furthermore, he suggests that the only ‘disadvantage’ of the child following their parents sexual orientation would be the hostility received from society. There is evidence available that shows 30% of children who had same-sex parents identified themselves as being gay or lesbian as an adult (Cameron, 200, pg413). This shows a relatively low score, of children who later in life identified themselves as gay or lesbian. However, this study can’t be fully reliable as there is no comparative measure against children with the different-sex parents. The argument Penning puts forward seems to be more plausible as the ‘Gay British Crime Survey’ shows (www.stonewall.org.uk) “In 2013 hate crimes and incidents remain a serious issue in Britain with one in six lesbian, gay and bisexual people experiencing a homophobic hate crime or incident over the last three years.” This information provides a more reliable source of data and shows an overall larger percent of people, therefore it seems that a bigger risk to the child would be that of the hostility from the wider society rather than the ‘risk’ of following their parents sexual …show more content…
(Biblarz and Stacey, 2010) cited in (Penning, 2014) say “children need dual-gender parents to learn appropriate gender-role behaviour and to develop normally.” This is essentially the only point I could mildly agree with, as learning gender roles are important, however surely this can be achieved through different means e.g. role play or there being a different sex model within the child’s life and should not become a reason why gay or lesbian couples can’t bring up a child. Contrary evidence to above says, (williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu) “many adolescents with lesbian mothers report having male role models in their lives, but even those without male role models evidence good psychological functioning and show no differences in traditionally masculine or feminine traits.” This evidence majorly flaws the notion we need both a mother and father which proves there is little strength to the claim a child needs both a mother and a