6)+Same+Sex+Parenting



Pick a topic related to the episode of 30 Days you watched about Same Sex Parenting. If you did not see the episode or need to recall what happened I have provided a link to a synopsis of the episode.

Write a five paragraph essay about your topic. Suggested topics:

Should Same Sex Couples Be Allowed to Adopt

Should There Be Adoption Restrictions (for any group)

Is a Group Home a Good Place for a Child

Should Laws be Created Due to Personal Beliefs of a Small Group

Should Gays and Lesbians have the Same Marriage Rights

Keep in mind there are no right or wrong answers, the essay should be your opinion supported by at least six sources. The easiest way to accomplish this will be to pick a topic and then do several Google Searches to find documents or websites that support your argument. Be sure to use The APA Citation Machine to cite your sources both in text and on a bibliography.

The following is an example of an excellent paragraph from a college student on the subject of Gay and Lesbian Parenting:

Many lesbians and gay men are parents. In the 2000 U. S. Census, 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex couple households reported at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home. Despite the significant presence of at least 163,879 households headed by lesbian or gay parents in U.S. society, three major concerns about lesbian and gay parents are commonly voiced (Falk, 1994; Patterson, Fulcher & Wainright, 2002). These include concerns that lesbians and gay men are mentally ill, that lesbians are less maternal than heterosexual women, and that lesbians' and gay men's relationships with their sexual partners leave little time for their relationships with their children. In general, research has failed to provide a basis for any of these concerns (Patterson, 2000, 2004a; Perrin, 2002; Tasker, 1999; Tasker & Golombok, 1997). First, homosexuality is not a psychological disorder (Conger, 1975). Although exposure to prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation may cause acute distress (Mays & Cochran, 2001; Meyer, 2003), there is no reliable evidence that homosexual orientation per se impairs psychological functioning. Second, beliefs that lesbian and gay adults are not fit parents have no empirical foundation (Patterson, 2000, 2004a; Perrin, 2002). Lesbian and heterosexual women have not been found to differ markedly in their approaches to child rearing (Patterson, 2000; Tasker, 1999). Members of gay and lesbian couples with children have been found to divide the work involved in childcare evenly, and to be satisfied with their relationships with their partners (Patterson, 2000, 2004a). The results of some studies suggest that lesbian mothers' and gay fathers' parenting skills may be superior to those of matched heterosexual parents. There is no scientific basis for concluding that lesbian mothers or gay fathers are unfit parents on the basis of their sexual orientation (Armesto, 2002; Patterson, 2000; Tasker & Golombok, 1997). On the contrary, results of research suggest that lesbian and gay parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive and healthy environments for their children.

Bibliography Patterson, C. J., Fulcher, M., & Wainright, J. (2002). Children of lesbian and gay parents: Research, law, and policy. In B. L. Bottoms, M. B. Kovera, and B. D. McAuliff (Eds.), // Children, Social Science and the Law // (pp, 176 - 199). New York: Cambridge University Press.

Perrin, E. C., and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health (2002). Technical Report: Coparent or second-parent adoption by same-sex parents. // Pediatrics //, 109, 341 - 344.

Stacey, J. & Biblarz, T.J. (2001). (How) Does sexual orientation of parents matter? // American Sociological Review //, 65, 159-183.

Tasker, F. (1999). Children in lesbian-led families - A review. // Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry //, 4, 153 - 166.

Tasker, F., & Golombok, S. (1997). // Growing up in a lesbian family //. New York: Guilford Press.

Mr. Bailey's Notes: I do not expect you to write paragraphs more than five to seven sentences long but they should not be any shorter than that. I do not expect you to cite more than two sources per paragraph, but you should not cite any less than that. Notice how the paragraph starts out with some basic facts showing that same sex adoption is happening, then it goes into the other side's argument and disproves it by citing more sources. Finally the author wraps up the paragraph by restating their belief and reinforcing it by showing a source that states that the author's belief is actually based on research and thus more than a belief.

Websites to get you started (You'll still have to use Citation Machine to Cite them if you use them):

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