The study, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, was conducted by Dr. Nanette Gartrel lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender advocacy groups, such as the Gill Foundation and the Lesbian Health Fund from the Gay Lesbian Medical Association.
Dr. Gartrel insists that such funding had no impact on her impartiality: “This is a straightforward statistical analysis. It will stand and it has withstood very rigorous peer review by the people who make the decision whether or not to publish it.”
I never quite know how to view these studies. I am less concerned about the funding than the interest of the subjects in reporting positive results. Of course, that would be a problem in heterosexual participants as well.
I have always found arguments against gay parents to be forced and illogical — based on stereotypes and homophobia. It certainly does not surprise me that there are no greater problems with children of gay parents, but this study suggests that there are fewer problems. If true, the reasons would be interesting. One possible explanation is that gay parents have to struggle harder for children and thus tend to be better prepared and more committed than the average parent. Another may be better education and wealth on average with gay parents — since (again) it takes greater effort to become parents if you are gay or lesbian. This remains a much smaller group than heterosexual parents who often have children with no planning or highly limited resources.
The results are impressive given the continuing barriers presented to gay parents in schooling and other aspects of parenting.
What do you think?
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