Patterson 1

Cierra Patterson
English 112
Argument Rough Draft
2l2st14
Homosexuals: Raising "Better" Children
The true definition of a parent cannot@defined. Tpd\otation of a parent0,
understood. A parent provides nurture, love, wisdo
^, ^r{rfl.EAc
necessities. No parent is the
. same; all parents have different stories and lifestyles. From biological parents to step parents and
/-\
single parer/ts thp varieties continue. How can someone
judge
who raises a child? Homosexual
\)
parents have emerged quickly in today's society.
Gay parenting has sky rocketed since the 1990s. "In January 1998, New Jersey became
the first state to allow homosexual couples to adopt children
jointly,
the same way that married
couples adopt children" ("Homosexual"). This historical ruling created a new wave of parenting.
Gay and lesbian parents are
just
as effective as anyone else, but now in some places it bgcamg--
legal. Finally, sexual orientation does not dictate who can become parents. Every person can
potentially become a parent and cherish a child of
and
joy
now enriches a little human being. Unfortunately, many people wanted to end this
VI
dream before its contagion spread;
/o*"u"r,just
as many people wanted to see parent diversity
/
grow. Children from homosexual parents prosper just
as well as children from heterosexual
parents.
OleCr
Pft']lDostkc(
Opponents of homosexual parenting mainly consist of conservative groups and religious
organizations and both argue two reasons against this: one, mothers and fathers are not
interchangeable and two, homosexual parenting ca$fect development. Having a mother and
wn. Their blood, tears, fears, hope, love
n"/roh,Y
Patterson 2
W'
father existed and still does exist as a tradition. Mothers and fathers are not interchangeable
because they provide different types of love to their child. "The combination of the
, 0 l&bxa+C
unconditional- leaning love of a mother and the conditional- leaning love of a father i, .rr.it-iA
,
fi
+t1l \
to a child's development"( Hansen). The relationship with the parent with the opposite ,"* rn$f
l,f O
+
not likely develop in a homosexual family. A mother cannot teach a boy what a father can. Vice-
versa for with a father and a daughter. "If a young boy is to become a competent man, he must
detach from his mother and instead identifu with his father. A fatherless boy doesn't have a man
.
with whom to identify" (Hansen). For example, boys will embrace more masculine lifestyles as
_
they age
ryeaning
they will have interests in sports, risk taking, rules and reason. Girls will take
tlnW--dJfOo+
[fllrp"Ppffire relationships, and gain more cautious atti-udes. Having lesbian
v\? rdt
in more,
i@$ents
won't encourage this boy to become more masculine and he will absorb feminism no*
lh,s
pcr4
Wrrc
his mothers. A female with gay fathers will not learn these feminine traits that only a mottl&
e
titttl<,
\ could provide. This could possibly disrupt developmental stages.
Ci#t
O'Llf t
6,'o'
University, says gay parents "tend to be more motivated, more committed than heterosexual
parents on average, because they choose to be pur"ntdl Homosexuals do not have children on
p rz)
Patterson 3
accident; it's a life dedication they want. This means that the parents will be more involved in
raising the child. Though teenage boys raised by l".bia"s *uyb. lTr rnus.uHne, they tend to
become less aggressive and more nurturing.
ftenUAUSA,tlAn
Children will tease because of height, weight, skin color, accents, ethnicities, and
-
-
Stt(o
everything else making humans diverse. Bullying will occur regardless of parental sexual
, {1.?L .J)r.rt 1
cvsryururB srss InaKrrlg numans slverse. sullymg wlll occur regaroless oI parental Sexual
h.tn
tht
S
orientation. "Levels of anxiety, depression, self-esteem and other measures of social and
hf
tt*"
lL(4fitn.-
"oY
st/!(
o
lf,ffiu
rssay
psychological behaviors were generally similar"(Silsby). Indicating that developmental stages
$_-r
.will generally not be affected. Every family has different circumstances.
Although gay parenting is often looked OW*r%, many can agree that it is beneficial.
Today's society may not accept this new wave of parenting, but soon scciety will realize
homosexual parenting can produce a well raised child
just
as well. Children of gay and lesbian
marriages function and behave normally as children from heterosexual parents.
bnw
Patterson 4
f\
t
WORKS CITED
Friedrichs, Ellen. "A Family Does Not Have to Include a Mother and a Father." Gay Parenting.
Ed. Beth Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from
"Hey Conservatives-Gays Are Better Parents than You." AlterNet.org. 2010. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 24Feb.2014.
Hansen, Trayce. "A Family Must Include a Mother and a Father." G1Pryl"g. Ed. Beth
Rosenthal. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Love Isn't
Enough: 5 Reasons Why Same-Sex Marriage Will Harm Children." 2008. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 24Feb.2014.
"Homosexual Parenting." Issues & Controversies on File: Issues & Controversies. Facts On File
News Services, l0 Apr. 2006.Web.24 Feb.2014.