Who better to know the well being of a child than a pediatrician. For all those who argue that same-sex couples have a negative effect on children, the nation's most influential pediatrician's group has proven that wrong with recent research. As reported by CBS News on Thursday, the American Academy of Pediatrics has published a new policy which cites research showing that the parents' sexual orientation has no effect on a child's development.
According to the report it is a stable relationship between parents straight or gay that is most beneficial for a child's growth and atmosphere of support. Broken homes is where a child is most emotionally unhealthy. With almost 2 million U.S. children being raised by same-sex parents and more ready and willing to adopt children, the policy's findings are important because most of those parents life in states where same-sex marriage is illegal.
The pediatrics' group is standing behind same-sex marriage and adoption and wanted to make their views known before two cases involving same-sex marriage goes before the Supreme Court next week. They hope they can make a difference in the decision.
Dr. Thomas MInerny, the academy's president and a pediatrician in Rochester, N.Y. said that they "wanted that policy statement available for the justices to review."
The American Academy of Pediatrics is one of several health groups to support same-sex marriage and adoption. They join the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the American College of Nursing.
Each group is symbolic because they represent areas where there have been arguments against raising children in same-sex environments as mental stability has been questioned as well as developmental issues in same-sex households.
But views are changing and there has been a shift in attitude towards same-sex marriage with it now becoming legal in nine states and states like Rhode Island and Illinois where the issue has reached the House and Senate. According to the Pew Research Center Poll the nation's overall view is favorable and it points at younger adults being more exposed and knowing people who are gay, giving them a more personal connection.
Also, the support from public figures such as President Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and various celebrities and athletes who have stood up for gay rights in general have made contributions to shifting attitudes and more sensitivity from those who were once ignorant to issues surrounding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered equality.
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