The Society's Attitude Towards Same Sex Couples in The United States

The definition of family has changed over the decades. The U.S. Census defines a family as individuals who are brought together by marriage, birth, or adoption. Though this can accurately define the majority of families today, there are still a few families that may fall outside of this distinct definition. Some believe that over time marriage has become deinstitutionalized (Cherlin 2009). The individuals of society are challenging the social norms and behaving in an unusual manner. Marriage is shifting to have new meaning, and is no longer just between a male and female. Same-sex marriage is an increasing occurrence in today’s society, thus resulting in an increase of same-sex parenting. These changes in the family dynamic have resulted in a family change for our growing generations. Though these changes can be significant to a traditional family structure, a same-sex couple can still be successful at parenting and creating a welcoming safe home environment.

Same-sex relationships have not always been openly accepted in our society and have only recently become accepted by the government. Many individuals look down upon these couples because they go against their religious beliefs. A majority of the U.S. grew up believing that same-sex relationships were morally wrong and simply unacceptable. Others look down upon these same-sex relationships because they venture out from the social norms. The negative stigma surrounding these couples caused a difficulty in the production or obtainment of children for them to raise as a part of their family. Often times, one or both of the same-sex couple were in a heterosexual relationship before pursuing one another. Children were sometimes a result of these heterosexual relationships that were forced to transition their lives along with their parent’s choices. When a same-sex couple wants children of their own, they must pick the best method for them. There is donor insemination for women couples, surrogacy for men couples, and adoption. The hard part with these procedures that will result in a child is that none of these options combine the DNA of both parents. Though this could be tough for one or even both of the parents involved, it does not affect their ability to be a successful parent to the child.

The family change relates directly to the acceptance of same-sex couples and the belief in their ability to successfully raise children. While the family decline would argue that the development of same-sex families goes against social norms and creates a negative outcome for families, family change views it as a way to move society forward (Popenoe 1993). The traditional family build up was not working for some of the individuals in society so the social norms have become altered and changed. Marriages are no longer just between a male and female, children are no longer just related by blood, and parenting responsibilities are no longer labeled to one gender or the other. Though these changes have created a different type of family environment there is no decrease in the strength of the family unit. Same-sex couples make the conscious choice to have children; some heterosexual couples get pregnant on accident. This can create a variety of differences in their parenting abilities, though all parents have the ability to be successful.

In order to further investigate the effects of same-sex parenting on the children involved many studies have been completed. A few of the results showed that there is a slight difference between the effect of gender-stereotypes roles that the children take on, but no correlation between same-sex parents and either positive or negative differences in social, academic, or psychological status. The biggest effect of same-sex parenting on the children is the view of their peers around them. If their peers view their parents and family life negatively, they are more likely to get bullied and begin to think this way as well. Now that same-sex marriage is legal in the United States, will this help create a more positive and equal upbringing for the children that are being raised in these families? A good way to investigate this research question would be to do a couple of longitudinal studies that are placed in separate areas of the world. There would be a place that openly accepts same-sex couples, a place that is against same-sex couples, and a place that combines a little bit of both. This study would need to take place for a number of years to fully investigate the effects of how the views of society on same-sex parenting ultimately effects the growth and development of the children involved.

If a society is more opening and welcoming to same-sex couples, than it is more likely that the children will have a more positive children, resulting in a more successful life. If the majority of individuals within a society are against same-sex couples the children are more likely to be out casted and bullied for the family they are a part of. Bullying can lead to life long negative consequences such as low self-esteem, negative social skills, and poor mental health. On the other hand, if a society is open to same-sex couples, the children are more likely to have a childhood almost identical to those who have heterosexual parents. It is also likely that the gender-stereotyped roles will have a significantly less impact on the development of children in the societies that are open to same-sex couples. This is because the roles of marriage and parenting are no longer generalized by gender but equal in the effort put in. By completing this longitudinal study we would find a more in depth answer to how same-sex parenting affects the development of the children involved, as well as the effect of society surrounding them. In conclusion, heterosexual parents, same-sex parents, and single parents all have the capabilities to succeed at raising a healthy successful child. The change of our societies definition of a family is propelling us to continue to grow as a nation. Families are not declining because of differences but rather growing more diverse and strong, and the genders of individuals that make up a family are not as significant as the characteristics that they possess.