GW professor researching effects of gay adoption

[kweerwolf]

With the help of four GW students, psychology professor Stephen Forssell has taken the first steps toward a research project that will compare and assess gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples who have adopted and are raising children.

Though issues such as a gay adoption have at times become politically divisive and shrouded in rhetoric, Forssell said his team is trying to get to the truth.

"We're just trying to make good research," Forssell said. "No matter what we do, political groups will seize upon whatever supports their view."

<snip>

"I think, especially with politically charged topics, research is the best way to mediate differences," Christopher said. "Doing scholarly work, in whatever field you are in, is a good forum for debate."

http://www.gwhatchet.com/media/paper332/news/2005/12/05/News/Gw.Professor.Researching.Effects.Of.Gay.Adoption-1120685.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.gwhatchet.com

It will be interesting to see the results of the study.

Ironically, I was at meeting last week where the likelihood of a gay adoption/foster care ban is very high for next year. According to someone from the Human Rights Campaign who was in attendance, adoption/parenting issues pull in even higher numbers than marriage equality. He cited Kentucky where support for banning "gay marriage" was 70 percent, while polling on banning gay adoption and parenting reached 80 percent. Currently HRC is trying to pull together some poll numbers for Missouri, but he said he doesn't expect the numbers to be significantly different than Kentucky's.

It says a lot when 80 of the population would rather see kids stuck in the foster care system than go to loving homes with a same sex couple.

[kevinbgoode]

1. This is one reason why gays should author a divorce ban amendment

let's stick it to those hypocrites and make them eat the vows they claim to be so sanctimonious about.

The adoption thang ain't gonna work - people have a right to designate guardians for their child in the event of death - especially if that guardian is a relative, gay or not. There are angles to fight this on - especially one in which the Taliban attempt to assert state control over individual rights.

[MuseRider]

3. My gay brother was the only one

we even considered leaving our children to if something had happened to us. This stinks and we are getting ready for this here in Kansas. It is being set up and they are ready to go. I certainly hope we are more ready for this than we were the marriage amendment. I think we are.

[Maat]

2. As both a retired social worker, and an adoptive parent ...

this breaks my heart.

Few people are willing to go through an arduous process that frequently lasts a year or more, complete with a social worker visiting and passing judgment on them once per month.

I had to bond with my child, tell her that I would be there for her for life, deal with night terrors resulting from physical abuse, and hope that we really would finalize the adoption.

There are thousands of children in this state (Cal) alone who need dedicated parents and permanent homes; no ban is being contemplated here, thank goodness.

Shame on those who would work to deny these children a loving home.