A study released this week of 17-year-old sons and daughters of lesbian
mothers shows that none of them reported ever being physically or sexually abused
by their parents or a caregiver.
The findings, from the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study, provide a sharp contrast to studies of American teenagers in general, with 26% reporting physical abuse and 8.3% sexual abuse.
The study's authors said in a press release Tuesday that the lack of abuse in lesbian-run households is "particularly noteworthy, because victimization of children is pervasive and its consequences can be devastating. To the extent that our findings are replicated by other researchers, these reports from adolescents with lesbian mothers have implications for healthcare professionals, policymakers, social service agencies, and child protection experts who seek family models in which violence does not occur."
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