Adoption Becoming Easier For Gays

cbs ^ | 10-29-03

[wheelgunguru]

(CBS/AP) About 60 percent of the nation's adoption agencies now accept applications from gays and lesbians, though resistance remains strong among many church-affiliated agencies, a new survey by a leading adoption institute says.

Adam Pertman, executive director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, predicted the holdouts would grow fewer in number as more homosexuals try to become parents.

"It's safe to assume this is a trend that is headed upward in a very consistent way," Pertman told CBS Radio News, adding that more and more adoption agencies feel gays make good parents.

"Their experience is evidently showing that gays and lesbians, as the research indicate, are making good parents, and so they are going back to the parents who are successful for them for children who are waiting for homes," he said.

Debate over parenting by gays has been an important element in the broader dispute over whether to permit same-sex marriage. Opponents of gay adoption say children do best growing up with both a mother and father, and they contend same-sex marriages would make it easier for gays to adopt. Supporters say gays, whether single or as a couple, can provide a loving home for children who otherwise would be in institutions or foster care.

"The child who's older, who's of color, who has special needs, those are the children who are more likely to be adopted by gays and lesbians," said Pertman.

The Donaldson Institute survey did not attempt to estimate the number of children adopted by gays; instead, it surveyed 307 adoption agencies — 277 private and 30 public — regarding their policies.

According to the survey, 60 percent of the agencies accept applications from self-identified gays and lesbians, and 40 percent of the agencies have placed children with such parents.

Attitudes also varied according to the agencies' focus. Pertman said some agencies are more likely to accept adoption applications from gay couples than some others.

"Agencies that deal with children in foster care, that is, public agencies, and agencies that deal with adoptions from abroad, are the most likely, along with Jewish- and Lutheran-affiliated agencies," he said.

Other agencies that were affiliated with religious denominations were less likely to welcome applications from gays, according to the survey.

About half the agencies said they routinely informed birth parents before placing a child with a gay adoptive parent. About one-fourth of the agencies said some birth parents had objected to such a placement or specifically asked that their child not be placed in a gay-led household.

Though a majority of agencies worked with lesbians and gays, only 19 percent made specific efforts to seek them out, the survey found.

Overall, the institute said the findings were good news for gays who want to become parents.

"For homosexuals wishing to become parents, the results paint a more encouraging picture than is often portrayed or perceived," the survey summary said. "Although stereotypes and misconceptions still perpetuate policy and practice... the willingness of adoption agencies to accept gay and lesbian adults as parents means more and more waiting children are moving into permanent, loving families."

Data for the survey was collected in 2001 and 2002, then compiled and assessed for the adoption institute by David Brodzinsky, a psychology professor and adoption expert at Rutgers University.

Florida is the only state that explicitly bans adoption by any gay person; its law is being challenged by gay foster parents backed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Mississippi bans adoption by gay couples, while Utah forbids adoption by any unmarried couple, including gay couples.

[mountaineer]

The average conservative christian is overflowing with sin

Wow, thanks for your insight.

[jsbankston]

So where do all these kids that go that don't get adoped go?

[scripter]

Bump and ping.

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links

[scripter]

Studies on the issue state:

• Eighty-two percent of the homosexual parents versus 18 percent of the heterosexual parents were recorded as having poor character. More importantly, of the recorded harms to children, which included molestation and physical abuse, 97 percent were attributed to the homosexual parent.
• The children of homosexual couples scored dramatically lower than the average of the children of the other two groups in verbal skills, vocabulary, composition and basic mathematical skills.
• The children of the homosexual couples performed better in social studies but only slightly.
• The children of homosexual parents were less likely to be involved with sports or other group activities.
• They were considered by their teachers to be introverts and loners
• were uncomfortable when having to work with students of a sex different from that of their co-habiting homosexual parent.
• homosexual couples were less likely to visit the children's schools, volunteer or help the children with their homework.

Source

Gay Foster Parents More Apt to Molest
Child Molestation and Homosexuality
Child Molestation and the Homosexual Movement
Homosexuality and Child Sexual Abuse

As I see it, perhaps only the uninformed believe homosexuals should adopt.

[Belial]

As I see it, perhaps only the uninformed believe homosexuals should adopt.

I think you misunderstood me. By statistics, I meant numbers based on scientific standards.

Instead you gave me a bunch of links to the Family Research Council, a thinly disguised propaganda outfit.

They employ such noted eminences as Paul Cameron, who has been debunked and tossed out of professional organizations for deliberately misleading publications. He has even been reprimanded in court for misappropriated data.

If you wish to look informed on this issue, you're off to a bad start. You should start by finding sources that have credibility outside the Hale-Bop club.

[cajun-jack]

yes it is if it is a deviant one that teaches the child abnormal deviant behavior is prefectly sane and ok.

[sit-rep]

They would make great parents

You have absolutely no idea what your are talking about.

There is no way in hell that two gay men could make good parents. It is impossible for them to become parents. A parent is the bearer of offspring. My last reading in biology, does not recall reproductive organs wear feces is stored, nor in the stomach.

Idiot.

[sit-rep]

wear = where...

[Belial]

yes it is if it is a deviant one that teaches the child abnormal deviant behavior is prefectly sane and ok.

If you ever poke your head outside the shell, you'd probably be surprised to see the world has a lot more colors than black or white.

I grew up with a kid who was adopted by fundies. Nice people, but weird. They'd pass out Bible tracts after parties at their house. Behind closed doors, it was more intense. They had baroque laws about what companies, foods and movies were anti-Christian, and they spent weekends in Church meetings and focus groups. Beside my adopted friend, they had several children of their own. As adults, all are severely emotionally scarred. Two have broken off contact with the family, one on the basis that the parents are apostate. Interestingly enough, only their adopted child today supports the parents, and copes with reality as an adult.

On the other hand, I have a friend who was brought up by two lesbians. He was recently married, and both him and his wife have a great relationship with his moms. He runs his own company, is a competetive athelete and a good musician.

Anecdotal, yes. But I have seen personally that a lump on the head with the Bible doesn't always "make 'em good".

[scripter]

I think you misunderstood me. By statistics, I meant numbers based on scientific standards.

Obviously you haven't read the latest research on the issues. Cameron hasn't been debunked, but he was corrected on one point and you, apparently, want to ignore everything he's said and everything the other links report. Science and crime reports support the links and if you have evidence to the contrary, please post it and I'll take a look and perhaps update my links.

[scripter]

If you wish to look informed on this issue, you're off to a bad start. You should start by finding sources that have credibility outside the Hale-Bop club.

Now there's a good laugh. Read this:

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links

There's an update coming with many additional links, all supported by the latest research on the issues of homosexuality.