Gay Adoption: For The Greater Good

In America there are more than 500,000 children in foster homes waiting to be placed in loving homes, with more than 20,000 adopted annually. Explicitly legalizing gay parent adoption in all fifty states would substantially reduce this number, at the same time providing loving homes for those in desperate need. Opponents of placing children in same-sex households hold to the idea that the “abnormality” of gays would be pressed onto children, therefore causing them to be gay.

Having two moms or two dads has been proven not to affect the development of children. Studies have shown that children placed in the home of a gay couple are in no way affected through childhood. According to a study published in the Children and Youth Services Review, the attachment level of children placed in the home of a gay couple is related to life satisfaction as well as the relationship attained with the adoptive parents, and the number of placements prior to adoption. The level of child attachment to the parent is also a key indicator of the child’s life satisfaction. “This variable was found to have a significant relationship with parent level of relationship satisfaction with their adoptive child.”(Erich) Therefore, the argument that the child’s well-being will be in harm is unfounded.

The term “nuclear family” developed in the western world to distinguish the family group consisting of parents, for the most part commonly a father and mother, and their children, from what is known as an extended family unit. The nuclear family is vanishing, and fast. The idea that placing children in same-sex coupled households would destroy the idea of this unit or the idea of the mother and father and their respective roles in society is a backwards assessment. In today’s society, roles are ever changing. Women now attend college at a higher rate than men, take on the same positions as men, as well as attaining an income extremely close if not exceeding that of men in some cases. Would these same opponents of gay adoption, be in favor of rescinding these advances? Furthermore, heterosexual single couples are allowed to adopt in many states. These people are not married and sometimes are not in a committed relationship, yet they have this right bestowed upon them. According to a Census Brief entitled, “Children with single parents-how they fare”, it was determined that children who live at home with both parents grow up with more educational and financial advantages than children raised by one parent. People are aware that the family institution is changing rapidly, and that must come with the acceptance of homosexuals as capable parents (U.S. DOC)

Here is the situation: A happily committed gay couple finally wants to cement a relationship with the addition of a new family member, yet the laws in their state may deny unmarried couples the right to adopt, or even the adoption agencies around them retain strict policies on placing children in same-sex households. “New Jersey was the first state to specify that sexual orientation and marital status cannot be used to discriminate against couples who are seeking to adopt. The state also allows second-parent adoption, a legal procedure by which a co-parent can adopt the biological or adopted child of his or her non-marital partner.” (Gay Adoption) As of 2002, 21 states as well the District of Columbia, are open to gay adoption. The Human Rights Campaign’s Deputy Director of FamilyNet, Lisa Bennett stated in reference to state attitudes toward gay adoption that, "Some have explicit, welcoming language." (Gay Adoption).

The major driving force in the opposition towards gay adoption is a widespread homophobia present in American society. Homosexuals, for the longest time, have been branded by society as deviant, immoral, sick etc. Significant legal hurdles can be faced more so by homosexual couples or individuals looking to adopt, even though same-sex couples raising adopted children are “older, more educated, and have more economic resources than other adoptive parents.” (Maxwell) Opponents claim gay adoption robs children of the chance to have a normal, healthy lifestyle. Is living in foster care until adulthood normal and healthy? Why rob children of the right to have a chance to live in a home with loving, caring, and responsible guardians, where a child will always know he/she has the stability most foster homes don’t provide. Kristen Hansen, a spokeswoman for the Christian Coalition was quoted as saying, “Every child has the right to both a mother and a father.”(Homosexual Parenting)Well, she is right, but unfortunately there are some kids in society that aren’t afforded that blessing. We can no more force divorced parents to stay together, than we can force unwed parents to marry in order to provide a “stable” home.

There is also the fear of recruiting. It is believed by some that children placed in the homes of gay couples are more likely to “develop abnormal sexual identities”(Homosexual Parenting) and become gay themselves, although there is research available that attests to homosexuality as a biological characteristic. The fact of the matter is the number of children in foster care has risen by 89% since 1982 (Johnson), and proponents of gay adoption consider it an injustice to these children to allow them to pine away in troubled foster care systems while perfectly well suited gay and lesbian couples are willing and available to raise them. Again, the stigma that exists in society towards gays and lesbians makes it more difficult than the average heterosexual couple looking to adopt.

The most compelling reason for the legalization of gay adoption in all states is the inadequacies of the failing foster care system of the United States. The cases of sexual and physical abuse towards children in foster care has been an ever present problem since the creation of the system. In Maryland, a study conducted by John Hopkins University in 1992 found that the rate of abuse in the foster care system was “four times higher than that found among the general population.” (Thomas) The failure exists nationwide. There is an apparent difficulty on the part of foster care agencies to provide the care children affected by abuse need. Instead, the solution is to replace them with the chance this may happen again.

There is also the need to take into account the very real effect foster care has on children. “Attachment refers to this relationship between 2 people and forms the basis for long-term relationships or bonds with other persons. Attachment is an active processit can be secure or insecure, maladapative or productive.” (Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption and Dependent Care) The key idea is that “attachment is an active process”. How can attachment be developed if a child is moved from home to home? Furthermore, “Optimal child development occurs when a spectrum of needs are consistently met over an extended period.”(Committee on Early Childhood, Adoption and Dependent Care) The foster care system has not been known, even to those who haven’t experienced it firsthand, to provide the full needs of a child. As opposed to letting the child’s development be stunted, why not place them into a home where they will be cared for, and where their needs will be met?

The answer is fear. Fear that these children will be preyed upon by homosexuals. After weeks, months, and sometimes years of home visits, drug tests, prospective donors etc. to be granted the opportunity to adopt a child is long sought victory for gay and lesbian parents. Is there really a case to be made that people go through this in order to impress an orientation on a child? When people embark on the long journey that is adoption, it is only to be granted the chance to open up a home to a child who needs it. To be given the chance to experience fatherhood or motherhood because they cannot, for whatever reason, do it alone.

The problems that occur in the public foster care system are vast, but not unchangeable. With the legalization of gay adoption, as stated above, there would be a drastic cut in the amount of children waiting to be placed. Gays and lesbians want the same things out of life as everyone else, and it is truly unfair to them as well as children, to rob them of the chance of having a family.

Its a step. A rather good step. We cannot allow these Bush administration officials to get away with the laws they have broken. Attny General Holder is now considering to appoint a special counsel to investigate the recently leaked memos. Techniques like those used on our captives cannot be allowed to continue nor go unpunished. When respect for life, no matter who's life it is, is discarded, it is a problem. Locking people in boxes, chaining them to the ceiling, sleep deprivation among other things. This is reprehensible. This is not the middle ages, and if a modern superpower like the US cannot extract intelligence in any other way, we dont deserve to be a superpower.

Point: It is against international law to not prosecute known offenders of international laws on torture.

Get it done.

It's pretty crazy that our government tortured prisoners to the extent that we now know. The picture to the left is from the Abu Ghraib incident from a while back but shows the extent of brutality and cruelty the US chose to use in order to extract information from our enemies. It is equally disappointing to learn that the Obama administration will not be pursuing any course of legal action against those involved in the torture against prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. However, if everyone remembers, the soldiers involved at the very bottom of the command chain at Abu Ghraib were prosecuted in martial courts and served time for their part in the tortuous events that went on there. Then why cant the upper levels of government be held to the same accountability? That word seems to be thrown around a lot of late. Accountability. However, I cannot find it anywhere. At least with this issue.

The economy has been the main topic in the country since the economic downfall began last September. Rightfully so, people are worried about their retirement, paying for college, getting loans, keeping businesses above water. One cannot deny though, there have been major gains in the past couple months. The DOW, which some say is not a good economic indicator of the financial health, has been on a steady trail of gains in the past couple weeks. There is definately a slowing of the bleeding. Turns out our economy is not suffering from a bad case of hemophilia after all.

Why oh why Lord!? Why didn't you just keep her mouth shut!?

Constant leakages have occured citing the highlights of the Bush presidency; the major points he plans to discuss during his farewell speech airing tonight at 8pm. However, I would first like to share an article on the conservative news site FOX with an interesting quote from Bush's final press conference this past Monday (1/12).

Per FoxNews.com-

"In terms of the decisions that I had made to protect the homeland, I wouldn't worry about popularity. What I would worry about is the Constitution of the United States and putting plans in place that makes it easier to find out what the enemy is thinking," he said Monday.

- The Pres

It's very easy to see through this man. I think he believes he doesn't make his intentions clear when he slyly puts certain verbage into a remark. Putting plans in place that make it "easier" George? That to me smells like wire tapping without a warrant, or the complete disregard of habeas corpus, or torturing people at will. He still thinks we're clueless. Maybe a little more than half the country was at one point, but the number of those still clueless people out there has dwindled over the past 7 years.

But anyway, our dear almost-former-president will make his final remarks tonight ( there will be a full analysis tomorrow), in a farewell address to the public. In a leaked section of his address, Bush says that the inauguration of Barack Obama will represent a "moment of hope and pride". I can agree with that, but for much different reasons. For one, This will be a moment of hope. Hope that this man we have now elected can fix the mistakes of your legacy you've left behind. It's a miracle we have all survived this time period. So yes, this will be a moment of hope indeed.
And two, this will definately be a moment of pride. For blacks, of course, but every American should find pride in the event that's about to become a reality. At least the rest of the world will like us more.

So the infamous Joe the Plumber has been sent to Israel to report on the growing tension between the Jewish state and Gaza. I never would've thought anyone would've paid to have this man sent anywhere to report on anything, but the conservative company pajamas media has done the unthinkable. On his first day of "reporting" Werzel-dumbass was quoted as saying the media should be banned from reporting on war because they don't know anything about it. Ok, so screw the bill of rights then buddy? Whatever happened to freedom of the press? Or have you not heard of it? You have to admit, he does have a knack for stretching 15 minutes of fame. I am absolutely tired of this man. First he pals around with McCain and Palin on the campaign trail, but only after the election he comes out saying he didn't think McCain had a clear understanding of the issues nor how to solve them. Yet he stayed. Using his new found notoriety to open up possible future careers. Drop the plumber act buddy. You don't even have a license! What happened to wanting to run for congress? What happened to the country music recording contract? Please please, spare your uneducated opinion on the matter of what reporters should or should not be able to report on. In case you haven't noticed, you are technically (and regretably) a reporter now.

Drop the act. You're a stupid little man. I sincerely hope you don't come back from Israel.

So Obama has decided to allow New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson to deliver the invocation of the inaugural week. This event is sure shaping up to be a colorful array of faces. Being that Robinson is the first openly gay ordained priest, and Rick Warren is an open bigot, both should make for interesting discussion. I have to ask myself whether or not this decision was made just to calm the outrage over Obama's choice of Rick Warren to give the invocation on Inauguration Day. I dont know about anyone else, but this does not calm that outrage over for me. I know he is all about coming together and reaching consensus and listening to everyone's opinions but some shouldnt be heard. Especially in social settings such as an inauguration. However, I guess i shouldnt be so hard. We all have opinions. No matter how hate filled yours or mine may be, they are still valid. Valid to be heard that is.