People sometimes claim that same-sex couples can’t raise children as well as heterosexual couples can. But just like opposite-sex parents can raise successful, happy and well-adjusted children, so can same-sex parents.
Same-sex parents have the same challenges with their children as any other parents do. How they respond to those challenges is what matters. Same-sex parents are perfectly capable of showing their children love, compassion and support.
Parents’ sexual orientation doesn’t dictate their success or failure as moms and dads to their kids. Instead, what matters is how much they are willing to invest in the children. This means taking time to guide the children and teach them, even when the going gets rough.
Some people worry that same-sex parents will try to force their children to live a same-sex lifestyle or try to force them to support the lifestyle. While this might occur, it isn’t something that is certain to happen.
Children of same-sex parents likely won’t need any special accommodations at school; however, discussing the situation with the teaching staff, administrators and other people involved with the children might help to head off any issues. At the same time, the parents have to be sure that they are just parents when they are interacting with the child’s friends and participating in the kids’ activities. The topic of sexual orientation may never even come up.
From raising children to legal issues, same-sex couples have challenges that others don’t face. If you have any legal concerns, getting answers to your questions can help you to develop a plan for how to handle the situation.
Source: The Huffington Post, “A Gay Dad’s Tips For Successful Parenting,” Rick Clemons, accessed Feb. 09, 2017
