ABSTRACT

Gay marriage or same-sex marriage and adoption are still complicated and minority-level processes even in today’s society. In the United States some states recognize gay marriages and adoption while others do not. Europe is more progressive than the United States when it comes to same-sex marriage and adoption. There are still challenges that lesbian and gay married couples face regarding social acceptance, adoption procedures, and bias, and welfare of their children, especially in school. Same-sex couples are more likely to want to adopt children compared to heterosexual couples. Finally, while laws may legalize gay marriage and adoption, society is still lagging in accepting. The studies and research in the paper propose that there should be more research on policies, social inclusion and reasonable treatment for same-sex couples and adoptive children.

Gay Marriage and Adoption Précis Paper

Costa, P. A., &Tasker, F. (2018). “We wanted a forever family”: Altruistic, individualistic, and motivated reasoning motivations for adoption among LGBTQ individuals. Journal of Family Issues.

The article explores the reasons and motivations for adoption among LGBTQ individuals and couples. For the sake of the topic, the focus of this précis is on lesbian and gay couples (LG).  The article differentiates adoption (children are not genetically related to parents) with assisted reproduction (where one of the couple’s eggs or sperm is artificially fertilized). The authors keep on comparing LG individuals to heterosexual individuals versus heterosexual individuals and LG families with heterosexual couples. Three hundred sixty-six people, individuals, and couples from the LGBTQ community were interviewed. For lesbians and gay couples, they were less concerned with the failure to achieve parenthood via biological means when compared to heterosexual couples. Hence, same-sex couples are more concerned about “bringing children into the family” (p 7) rather than having children of their own.  Among same-sex couples, fictive-kin (not related genetically) are more likely than for heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples value relational ties over bio-legal ties. In conclusion, the researchers found out that LG couples have more altruistic reasons for adoption: they want a permanent family.

Gates, G. (2012). Family formation and raising children among same-sex couples.

This article explores the demographic characteristics for same-sex couples rearing families. The précis is on same-sex couples who adopt children. Concerning race, white same-sex couples are twice likely to take a child compared to other couples with a non-White partner. 18% of White same-sex couples with children have adoptive children while the number is 9.6% for couples with a non-White partner. Education also plays a role in the decision to adopt among same-sex couples. Less than 8% of couples with no more than a high school diploma in the United States adopt children while those with an undergraduate degree the number is 18%; the number jumps to 33.3% for same-sex couples or partner with a graduate degree. When it comes to standards of living, 20% of adopted children in same-sex families live in poverty compared to just 9.4% for traditional nuclear family. The researchers note that there is a disparity between expected trends and patterns when compared to actual data; additionally, they concede that the data they used could be less than reliable.

Patterson, C. J. (2009). Children of lesbian and gay parents: psychology, law, and policy. American Psychologist, 64(8), 727.

The article explores the rights and privileges of lesbian and gay couples and parents in the United States. For this précis, the limit is on the right to marry and adopt for LG couples. In summary, the article notes that there are various policies and laws across states in the United States as of the year 2009. For example, the states of New York and Rhode Island were found that although they did not recognize gay marriages, they nevertheless accepted married and lesbian couples from other states. The laws and policies concerning marriage and adoption for same-sex couples are diverse and sometimes contradictory in this manner (at least as of 2009). A state like Massachusetts hugely favors same-sex marriage and adoption by the power of the law, while the state of Missouri does not recognize gay marriage hence consequential rights are moot. Children raised by same-sex couples grew up in very much the same manner as those raised by traditional heterosexual couples. The author points out that legal or not; same-sex couples are still adopting children. In conclusion, the article proposes that policy-makers and legal experts could use some help from sociologists and psychologists to make better laws that disregard sexual orientation regarding marriage and adoption channels. In essence, the article proposes that more could be done via legal channels to make it easier for LG couples to be accepted and adopted.

Messina, R., &D’Amore, S. (2018). Adoption by Lesbians and Gay Men in Europe: Challenges and Barriers on the Journey to Adoption. Adoption Quarterly, 1-23

The article concerns adoption among European gay and lesbian couples. Sixteen lesbians and 46 gay men from Spain, Belgium, and France were interviewed. Concerning progressive sexuality laws, Belgium is regarded among the top, after becoming the second country ever to legalize gay and lesbian marriages in 2003. France legalized same-sex marriage and adoption quite recently in 2013, and it came amid a protest by conservatives concerned about culture erosion. In Spain, there is minimal statistics on same-sex couples demographics and numbers to do with adoption. These three countries provide a unique scenario where same-sex marriage and adoption is legal, but there are still social and psychological barriers. The challenges include stigma from society, self-doubt by couples on whether they are giving the adopted child the best upbringing, concerns for bullying of the child among others. In summary, same-sex couples have some challenges when it comes to adoption which only public awareness and sensitization and time can solve.

Goldberg, A. E., Allen, K. R., Black, K. A., Frost, R. L., & Manley, M. H. (2018). “There Is No Perfect School”: The Complexity of School Decision‐Making Among Lesbian and Gay Adoptive Parents. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(3), 684-703.

The article concerns school selection for children adopted by middle-class LG (same-sex) couples. Same-sex parents with adopted children have a lot to consider when choosing the school for their adopted children; the concerns are more and more profound than for other demographic parents. For middle-class same-sex couples, identity and acceptance of their adopted children by their peers was their primary concern. Inclusivity for both the couples (among parents) and adopted children (among classmates) is what most LG couples want. There are other concerns like cost, location, school values, and performance; these are generally practical for every parent. Hence, most same-sex couples, some varied in terms of race, have a hard time looking for the right school for adoptive children. The authors conclude that there is no ideal school, but more importantly, schools should work on creating an environment that reduces stigma on same-sex couples and their children.

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