New research from
the Netherlands shows that children raised by lesbian
couples are as well-adjusted as those raised in
heterosexual-parent families. The study shows results
nearly identical to similar research in the United
States, according to the Rockway Institute, a national
center for public policy and research on LGBT issues.
"Children
do well in loving families, regardless of whether there are
two moms or a mom and a dad involved,"
Robert-Jay Green, director of Rockway Institute, said
in a statement.
The analysis was
of 200 couples with boys and girls ages 4-8 -- half
the parents were heterosexual, half lesbians. Child
adjustment and parental characteristics were measured
by questionnaires, family observations by researchers,
and diaries kept by parents recording the amount of time
they spent child rearing, working around the house, and
working outside their home.
The results
showed that lesbian biological mothers were more satisfied
with their partners as a coparent than heterosexual mothers
were. It was also shown that lesbian mothers were more
committed to the task of parenting than straight
fathers.
There were
significant differences in the division of family tasks,
with both of the lesbian partners spending more time
on household work and child care, and less time at
work outside the home, than the heterosexual fathers.
"These
results on lesbian parents pique our curiosity for more data
on gay male parents," said Green. "Will
gay fathers' parenting styles turn out to be
more like those of heterosexual fathers, heterosexual
mothers, or some combination? One of Rockway's
planned research projects will shed light on that
question in the future."
The American
Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association,
and the American Psychological Association have all voiced
support for equal treatment of families headed by
lesbian and gay parents, according to the statement.
(The Advocate)