For kids raised in stable families, no difference in well-being with same-sex versus different-sex parents

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-04/wkh-fkr041216.php

Public Release: 12-Apr-2016
For kids raised in stable families, no difference in well-being with same-sex versus different-sex parents
Wolters Kluwer Health

Children raised by same-sex female parents with a stable family life show no difference in general health, emotional difficulties, coping and learning behavior, compared to children of different-sex parents in similarly stable relationships, concludes a study in the April Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, the official journal of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.

"Our study of households with no divorces or other family transitions finds that spouse-partner and parent-child relationships are similar regardless of family structure," comment lead researchers Henry Bos, PhD, and Nanette Gartrell, MD, of the University of Amsterdam. "These strong relationships are important contributors to good child outcomes -- not whether the parents are same-sex or different-sex."

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In both groups of families, more positive parent-child relationships were associated with higher levels of children's general health and better coping and learning behaviors. Better spouse/partner and parent-child relationships were associated with lower levels of children's emotional difficulties.

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That's despite the higher levels of parenting stress reported by same-sex parents, Dr. Bos and colleagues note. They call for further studies to assess the source of this stress, suggesting that the "cultural spotlight" on child outcomes in families with same-sex parents might be a contributing factor.

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