Having a child is not an easy task, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender. You will always question whether you are doing it right or doing what is best for them.
For same-sex parents, the questions double, often asking themselves whether their children will be accepted or whether they will be treated equally. Often, same-sex parents face fears that heterosexual parents don’t even dream of.
Although there are still skeptics and critics who oppose love and use any terminology or legal recourse to discriminate against these families, fortunately, there are more of us who are on the right side; times are changing, and with each passing day, we are moving towards a more tolerant society.
And science backs this up.
Recent studies show no significant difference in the outcome of raising children by heterosexual or homosexual parents. However, these studies do show that there are positive variations in the development and psychological well-being of children that have nothing to do with the sexual orientation of the parents but with the context in which they are raised.
Some of these are:
More egalitarian roles
This is a benefit that many people undoubtedly take note of. It implies sharing responsibilities based on the strengths of the other and not on the simple fact of “being more maternal” or “being more paternal,” as is common in heterosexual couples. While being a balanced aspect of couples, more egalitarian roles in a family are a great incentive in raising children since it helps them understand that responsibilities have nothing to do with genres.
It is a great way to promote equality between individuals and a sense of fairness in children and the people around them.
Parents tend to be more present
Same-sex parent families tend to be much more involved in the day-to-day aspects of their children’s lives. It is often the case since children in same-sex marriages come after a long process of planning. Same-sex couples most likely have gone through very long and difficult processes to become parents, not to mention the years of struggle by the LGBTQ+ collective to make same-sex marriage and adoption a legal right.
The involvement of same-sex parents in education is also more noticeable. Going through so many setbacks and being limited in many aspects, same-sex parents place heavy importance on providing children with all the possible tools. With education more focused on diversity and values, it is not surprising that they also want to be part of it.
More self-confident, well-adjusted children
Although specialists haven’t proven a difference in social behavior between children raised in families with same-sex parents and opposite-sex parents, what is most notable is that children with same-sex parents tend to be more self-confident. This is largely due to the level of active parental involvement in the children’s lives. The parents’ confidence in their strengths gives them a little more incentive to learn to figure things out independently, recognize their abilities, and develop a sense of independence that will lead them to become more self-confident individuals.