Children in rainbow families are better off than those in traditional ones. Or at least as well, according to an unprecedented study
The number of children growing up in so-called rainbow families is growing. Even though the public's position towards 'sexual minorities' is improving nowadays, the upbringing of children by LGBT+ parents remains a controversial topic and the impact it has on children is still not entirely clear. Experts from Guangxi Medical College in Nanning, China, and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, set out to change that. Their new meta-study has shown that children raised by same-sex couples do just as well, and in some ways even better, than those whose parents are not queer.
The experts compared the results of 34 other studies from 1989 to 2022, with all of the data examined coming from countries where some form of legal same-sex union exists (such as civil partnerships or marriage). 18 of the studies analyzed looked at qualitative data, while 14 studies measured quantitative data.
The link between legally recognised same-sex relationships and the impact that living in a family with queer parents has on children was one of the aspects the researchers wanted to look at. "To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic comparison of the impact of living in a family with sexual minority parents versus living in a family with heterosexual parents that has been done against the backdrop of legally recognized same-sex unions."
There are advantages to growing up with rainbow parents
"Our comparison showed that the impacts of living in both types of families are similar, and in some areas even better in families with sexual minority parents. For example, in terms of psychological adjustment or parent-child relationships," the study authors write.
Better family conditions are due to the fact that same-sex parents are better prepared to raise their children. First, perhaps because they find it harder to have children (whether their own or adopted), and second, because they are exposed to more criticism from those around them. "Better psychological adjustment in children raised by sexual minorities, especially in preschool, [...] may be due to better preparedness as a result of the anti-gay stigma that families with sexual minority parents face."
Children of same-sex couples also theoretically have better life circumstances because of their parents' "higher socioeconomic status" and because their parents profess a "more equitable distribution of roles." Moreover, children raised by queer parents are "described as more tolerant of diversity and more accepting of younger children than children of heterosexual parents."
Zdroj: GiphyHomosexuals raising homosexuals?
The research conducted also compared the fact that children from rainbow families "were less likely to grow up to be heterosexual compared to children who lived in families with heterosexual parents." But that doesn't mean that homosexuals raise homosexuals. In fact, how children's parents approach sexual minorities and diversity in general has an impact. "In families where parents are members of a minority group, there may be less gender stereotyping, and this may have a positive impact," the authors of the study said in their assessment. Being raised by queer parents can lead to advantages later in life. "Sexual minority parents' approach to gender can have a uniquely positive impact on their children. Exploring gender identity and sexuality may even improve a child's ability to succeed and thrive in a variety of situations."
The biggest risk is homophobia
From the previous lines, it would seem that societal homophobia forces parents to better prepare for parenting and is therefore good for children. But it's the other way around, as the authors of the study point out. "Children are more likely to thrive when their parents are psychologically comfortable."
"The stress parents are under and their mental health takes a toll on a child's mental state. [...] Homophobic stigma and perceived stigma are related to psychological problems." In other words: When parents are exposed to homophobia and stigma, it negatively signs on their mental health, and it directly signs on the mental state of the child.
The best solution to promote healthy child development is to remove the social stigma of rainbow families and queer people, preferably by allowing marriage. "Studies have shown," experts explain, "that children from households in which parents are not married and children of single parents have poorer health than children from households in which parents are married. Marriage is a benefit and protection for couples and their children."
