Gabriella Resnick

Professor Tony Kairis

Sociology 201
2 April 2016
American Families
There are a variety of difference families throughout the United States. Some of the
diverse forms of these families include ethnic American families, single-parents, families without
children, blended families, as well as gay and lesbian families.
A lot of people are uncomfortable with the idea of an untraditional family. If your family
isnt structures as a husband and wife with children, you are grouped as different and are faced
with questions about whether or not you know how to be a family. This controversy is very real
to those in same sex marriages. Not only is their intimate relationship questioned by those around
them, but so is their ability to be a parent.
Millions of children have one or more gay and/or lesbian parent. For some children,
having a gay or lesbian parent is not a big deal. Others may find it hard to have a family that is
different from most families. These children find that being different can be confusing,
frustrating, and scary. Questions are constantly being asked about the impact of gay marriage on
children. There is a considerable disagreement as to what the consequences of raising a child in a
single-sex family are.
Studies have shown that children with same-sex parents are just as happy with themselves as are
their friends with heterosexual parents. Children who are being raised in a gay or lesbian family

show no different in their choice of friends, activities, or interests compared to other children.
Even as adults, their career choices and lifestyles are similar to those of children raised by
heterosexual parents. Research comparing children raised by same-sex couples to children raised
by heterosexual parents has found no developmental differences in intelligence, psychological
adjustment, social adjustments, or peer relationships. Children raised by homosexual parents can
and do have fulfilling relationships with their friends as well as romantic relationships later in
life.
In the United States more than 111,000 same-sex couples are raising an estimated
170,000 biological, step, or adopted children. Data shows that among this group, 35% are raising
children under the age of 18. These families are more likely to be racial and ethnic minorities
when compared to other family types in the United States and are often at an economic
disadvantage. The medium annual household income of same-sex couples with children under
the age of 18 in the home is lower than different-sex couples ($63,900 versus $74,000
respectively).
The Functionalist Perspective seems to give the best explanation on patterns and changes
in families. This perspective looks at marriages and families and examines how they are related
to other parts of society. It states that the family is universal even though the form forms of
marriage and families may differ between groups. They say this because families fulfill 6 needs
that are basic to the survival of every society: economic production, socialization of children,
care of the sick and the aged, recreation, sexual control, and reproduction. To make certain that
these functions are preformed, every human group has adopted some form of the family.
The Functionalist Perspective makes the most sense because it is adaptable to all different
types of families. It explains that it doesnt matter how your family is specifically made up. It

shows how there are different aspects of a family and no matter the form your family takes; these
aspects are still applicable. We need families in order for society to continue to function and it
doesnt matter the specific details of each one of these families.
I plan to have a career in pediatrics where there are bound to be diverse families.
Throughout the last 10 years there has been an increase in the number of gay and lesbian families
with children. There is no doubt in my mind that I will be coming into contact with these
families. I do not think that these families will impact my professional services. These children
may be coming from households with same sex parents, but they will be no different than the
other children I treat. After doing this assignment I think my capacities have been improved. It is
disturbing to me to read about all of these concerns for children being raised by same sex
couples. I have also realized that this is type of family is not uncommon in America, and as the
LGBT community continues to grow, so will those families. This is just something that people
will have to get used to.
It is clear that there are a lot of concerns when it comes to same sex couples and
parenting. People are concerned with how their children may be affected and whether or not they
will be different from children who have come from households with heterosexual parents.
Through the research I have done and my own experiences with same-sex families, I do not think
there is anything to worry about. There should be just as much concern for children being raised
by different sex parents as there is for those children being raised by same sex parents.