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Adoptive Children of Lesbian and Gay Couples Developing Well

Should the sexual orientation of prospective adoptive parents be considered when placing children in adoptive homes?

According to the results of a new University of Virginia study, the answer may be "no."

In a sample of 106 adoptive children living in different parts of the United States, youngsters were developing well regardless of whether they were living with lesbian, gay, or heterosexual parenting couples. The study found that whether or not adoptive children were developing in positive ways was unrelated to the sexual orientation of their adoptive parents. The finding appears in Applied Developmental Science.

"We found that children adopted by lesbian and gay couples are thriving," says University of Virginia psychology professor Charlotte J. Patterson, Phd, who led the study. "Our results provide no justification for denying lesbian or gay prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to adopt children. With thousands of children in need of permanent homes in the United States alone, our findings suggest that outreach to lesbian and gay prospective adoptive parents might benefit children who are in need."

The research assessed adjustment and development among preschool-aged children adopted at birth by lesbian, gay, or heterosexual couples. Using standardized assessment procedures, researchers found that parents and teachers agreed, on average, that the children were developing in typical ways. Measures of children's adjustment, as well as parenting practices and stress, were found to be unassociated with the parents' sexual orientation. And, regardless of their parents' sexual orientation, how well children were adjusted was significantly associated with how warmly their parents were oriented to them.

— Source: University of Virginia