Gay and Lesbian Adoption

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the number of children adopted by gay men and lesbian parents has increased as more state laws have relaxed the prohibition on these types of adoptions and as more social workers and agencies now are willing to accommodate and intervene for them. The author points out that this changing trend has lead to critical concerns about sexual orientation, the probability of molestation, teasing and harassment of the child, which have created a dilemma for the social workers between the need for adoptive families and the principles of his or her profession. The paper relates that research suggests that the adopted children of gay and lesbian parents develop normal or straight relationships with their peers and satisfying relationships with adults of both sexes; therefore, social workers should support this type of adoption as guided by their professional code of ethics.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of Adoption
Reasons for Accepting Adoption by Gay or Lesbian Parents
Issues and Concerns
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s further influenced and modified adoption practices. These revolutions were the women's liberation, civil rights movement, sexual revolution, the adoptee's liberty movement, and the birth fathers' rights, birth control, legalized abortion and a dominant single parenthood culture. One consequence was that social workers were encouraged to adjust their role as educators for adoptive parents in helping them recognize and cope with raising adopted children as against raising natural children. Adoptive parents now demand more information on the child they take and whose future is entrusted to them."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Lev. A. I. (2006). Gay and Lesbian Adoptions. Family Pride Coalition: PlanetOut Interactive Services. http://www.planetout.com/families/article.htm?sernum=384
• Meiser, R. and Velen, M. (1999). The History of Adoption. Arizona Children's Home Association: Destiny's Ink, com. http://www.destinyink.com/research/history.html
• National Adoption Information ClearingHouse. (2000). The Social Worker's Dilemma. Children's Bureau. http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/f_gay/f_gayc.cfm
• --- Gay and Lesbian Adoptive Parents. http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/f_gay/f_gay_cfm
• --- The Status of Gay and Lesbian Parenting. http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs?f_gay/f_gayb.cfm

More papers on Gay and Lesbian Adoption:

• Analytical Essay # 147589 : "Advance Gay and Lesbian Freedom by Allowing Adoption of Children"
• Persuasive Essay # 150210 : "Adoption for Gay and Lesbian Couples"
• Comparison Essay # 27082 : "Challenging Kinship Assumptions: Adoptees, Gays and Lesbians"

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