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LGBT-Parent Families pp 39–55Cite as

Lesbian and Gay Adoptive Parents and Their Children

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Abstract

Increasing numbers of lesbian and gay adults are becoming parents through adoption. The adoption of children by lesbian and gay adults does, however, remain a controversial topic across the USA and around the world. Several questions have been raised in these debates. For instance, to what extent do lesbian and gay adults make capable adoptive parents? Are children who have been adopted by lesbian and gay parents growing up in healthy ways? What factors contribute to positive family functioning in adoptive families with lesbian and gay parents? In this chapter, we present a growing body of social science research that has begun to address such questions. Findings from this research suggest that lesbian and gay adults are successful in adoptive parent roles and that their children are developing in positive directions. Research on these families has, however, been subject to criticism on methodological grounds, and we therefore consider the issues raised by such critiques. Further, in light of the existing literature, we point out directions for future research. Overall, the findings to date suggest that parental sexual orientation should not be a deciding factor in placing children with permanent adoptive families. We discuss various implications of this research for the legal system and for child welfare agencies.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Stranger adoptions describe situations in which biological parents are unwilling or unable to take care of a child. A stranger adoption is completed when a court dissolves the legal bonds between the child and his/her biological parents and establishes new legal ties between the child and his/her adoptive parents. In second-parent adoptions, legal parenting status is created for a second parent without terminating the rights or responsibilities of the first legal parent. In families headed by same-sex couples, second-parent adoptions create for the child the possibility of having two legally recognized parents (Patterson, 2009).

  2. 2.

    A home study is the in-depth evaluation that any prospective adoptive parent must complete in the USA as a requirement of the adoption process. It is intended as a way to educate and support parents throughout the adoption process and also to evaluate their fitness as potential parents (Brodzinsky & Pinderhughes, 2002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 623 Tobin Hall, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

    Rachel H. Farr Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, 400400, Gilmer Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA

    Charlotte J. Patterson Ph.D.

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  1. Rachel H. Farr Ph.D.
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  2. Charlotte J. Patterson Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Rachel H. Farr Ph.D. .

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  1. , Department of Psychology, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, 01610, Massachusetts, USA

    Abbie E. Goldberg

  2. , Department of Human Development, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State, 401C Wallace Hall (0416), Blacksburg, 24061, Virginia, USA

    Katherine R. Allen

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Farr, R.H., Patterson, C.J. (2013). Lesbian and Gay Adoptive Parents and Their Children. In: Goldberg, A., Allen, K. (eds) LGBT-Parent Families. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4556-2_3

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