Study Reveals “consistent differences” in Children Raised by a Parent of a Same-Sex Romantic Relationship

Statistics from pro-homosexual groups and pro-family organizations have all had their say regarding the matter of children who grow up in a non-heterosexual environment. Both research and opinions have flooded not only databases but also the Internet with each side claiming supportive information for their cause. However, no studies conducted in the past have come close to The New Family Structures Study(NFSS)by Mark Regnerus.

Surveying a large, random sample of American young adults between the ages of 18-39 who were raised in different family arrangements, Regnerus collected to compare “how the young-adult children of a parent who has had a same-sex romantic relationship fare on 40 different social, emotional, and relational outcome variables when compared with six other family-of-origin types.” (Regnerus) In continuing, Regnerus’ findings revealed “consistent differences, especially between the children of women who have had a lesbian relationship and those with still-married (heterosexual) biological parents.” (Regnerus)

Below are the most significant outcomes of the data collected in the study, which potentially shifts the controversial debate in favor of raising children in a non-heterosexual relationship.

Referenced in an article from Family Research Council stated “Compared with children raised by their married biological parents (IBF), children of homosexual parents (LM and GF):”

• Are much more likely to have received welfare (IBF 17%; LM 69%; GF 57%)
• Have lower educational attainment
• Report less safety and security in their family of origin
• Report more ongoing “negative impact” from their family of origin
• Are more likely to suffer from depression
• Have been arrested more often
• If they are female, have had more sexual partners–both male and female

In addition, Family Research Council also noted “Children of lesbian mothers:”

• Are more likely to be currently cohabiting
• Are almost 4 times more likely to be currently on public assistance
• Are less likely to be currently employed full-time
• Are more than 3 times more likely to be unemployed
• Are nearly 4 times more likely to identify as something other than entirely heterosexual
• Are 3 times as likely to have had an affair while married or cohabiting
• Are an astonishing 10 times more likely to have been “touched sexually by a parent or other adult caregiver.”
• Are nearly 4 times as likely to have been “physically forced” to have sex against their will
• Are more likely to have “attachment” problems related to the ability to depend on others
• Use marijuana more frequently
• Smoke more frequently
• Watch TV for long periods more frequently
• Have more often pled guilty to a non-minor offense

Moreover, no matter what data may be collected about the outcome of children and the household they are raised in, only one condition is key to their future, a foundation grounded in God’s truth. If a child’s fundamental ideas, morals, and values are established on man’s opinion and skewed from God’s word, so too will be the basis of all of their life decisions. Their life will be “like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:26-27) Yet when a child is grounded in God’s word and applies it to their life, they are “like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)

When a child is raised by a man and a woman who have formed an infrastructure based on biblical truths, not only will the choices and outcome of their children’s future be healthier but also the condition of their heart.  Can you imagine the change in this generation of children if they applied God’s principles to life?  How many broken hearts would be healed?  How many captives would be set free?

 

Additional Resources:

[1] Mark Regnerus, “How different are the adult children of parents who have same-sex relationships? Findings from the New Family Structures Study,” Social Science Research Vol 41, Issue 4 (July 2012), pp. 752-770; online at:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049089X12000610

[2] Loren Marks, “Same-sex parenting and children’s outcomes: A closer examination of the American Psychological Association’s brief on lesbian and gay parenting,” Social Science Research Vol 41, Issue 4 (July 2012), pp. 735-751; online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049089X12000580