Abstract In this paper, the author looks at the issues arising from same sex couples adopting children. The paper explains the procedures involved in adopting and the screening process for prospective parents. The author then looks at same sex couples who want to adopt and the implications on a child's upbringing. The author specifically mentions a report by the Medical Institute of Sexual Health which states that "Significantly higher percentages of homosexual men and women abuse drugs, alcohol and tobacco than do heterosexuals." The author discusses how he believes that children have the right to grow up in a normal healthy family which, he believes, is made up of a mother and a father. In conclusion, the author offers his opinion that, although home is where the heart is, adoption should be about placing children in natural families and safe homes.
From the Paper "In addition, the child has a right to have a natural family, and a mother and father. Due to divorce, this family deprivation has already hit America like no other war, disease, or problem before. Should this unnatural family life continue or be extended and even encouraged by homosexual couples adopting? Social researcher David Blankenhorn, author of Fatherless America, declared, "Fatherlessness is the 'engine driving' social pathologies such as crime, adolescent pregnancy, child sexual abuse, and violence against women." Research confirms that the domestic environment most favorable to the well being of children has both a mother and a father. (Gay Adoption)"
Abstract The growing movement of the gay rights movement in the United States, Canada and elsewhere has raised some sensitive issues. Not the least of these is whether gay couples should be allowed to adopt children. This paper explores this problem.
Abstract The paper analyzes how people naturally seek out partners in an effort to be a part of a couple, and so they find other couples fascinating, watching them, observing them, and silently comparing their experiences together with their own. The paper examines how the history of couples on television, especially in America, serves as an intriguing study into American culture and values in general. The paper describes how couples on television have been portrayed differently over the decades as American beliefs and values have changed. The paper proposes that to study the history of couples on television is to study American attitudes toward a variety of social institutions and situations.
From the Paper "Perhaps the first famous television couple in America was the duo of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. Exploding onto American television screens in the early 1950s, Lucy and Desi were unique in that they not only played a married couple on television, but they were also married in real life (Douglas, 2003). Because of this real life connection, the Lucy and Desi duo was a particular source of fascination to the American public for many years. People wanted to watch Lucy and Desi to see not only what unbelievable exploits they would get into week after week, but to see if any part of their real life relationship was translated onto the television screen."
Tags: Leave, it, to, Beaver, I, Love, Lucy, The, Honeymooners, The, Ozzie, and, Harriet, Show
Abstract This paper examines the need for the State of Connecticut to allow legal marriages for homosexual couples. It explains how at the moment the only recognition given to same-sex couples is a civil union. The writer interviewed Michael Fiorello, a high school English teacher that is currently in a same-sex relationship, to try and understand why same-sex couples actually want to be married. The writer then discusses, using different sources, how same-sex marriage is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution though marriage in and of itself is. The writer further discusses some of the facts and benefits of same-sex marriage in Connecticut and the United States. The writer believes that is time for the State of Connecticut to realize what it is suppressing and allow homosexual couples the right to a legal and recognized marriage.
From the Paper "The Constitution actually has very vague mentioning of marriage; let alone any sort of same-sex marriage. Evan Gerstman, author of Same-Sex Marriage and the Constitution, makes note that the fundamental rights (which include marriage) were derived from the due process clause, which is where one cannot "deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law." And, most justices would ignore the equal protection clause and infrequently mentioned it. (Gerstman, 118) These rights come from the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution, where as it is, the justices of the Supreme Court have a hard time figuring out what that part of the amendment specifically stands for. This does not appear to be all right when it comes to the demands of same-sex couples and their attorneys' attempts to untangle the knots of the Fourteenth Amendment."
Abstract This paper examines a dating couple that is experiencing difficulties concerning personal perspective in their relationship. The dialogue between these two individuals shall be assessed according to the integrative couple therapy approach as is outlined in the book, Reconcilable Differences by Andrew Christensen and Neil S. Jacobson.
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the novel, "Couples", by John Updike. Specifically, it presents an informative report on the novel, its author, and its reception by the critics. The couples in this novel fear death, and in an attempt to reduce and cover up their fears, they sleep with their married friends, forming a sort of "infidelity cult." The paper shows how "Couples" does not celebrate marriage; it bemoans it. It does not celebrate adultery and infidelity; it shows how they can ruin marriages and lives. This book is about a changing society and how religion has given way to sex and a sense of loss.
From the Paper "Freddy Thorne, the dentist in town is also the "thorn" in the side of many characters. He is abrasive and annoying, but he is also deceptively sharp and to the point. He says at one point, "The funny fact is, you don't get better, and nobody gives a cruddy crap in hell. You're born to get laid and die, and the sooner the better" (Updike 255). Freddy is the "devil" in the story ? the anti-hero who makes the other characters think and react, and can read them quite well. He is annoying because he is so critical, but because he is so astute, too. He understands more of what is going on around him more than just about any character, and so, he is the conscience of the book, something that many of the other characters totally lack."
Abstract This paper provides a comprehensive description of Anorexia Nervosa. Prevalence statistics, course and outcome and etiology of the disorder are described. The concept of the family unit is introduced. Family therapy of eating disorders is broken down into the steps and processes. The paper explores the effectiveness of family and couples therapy for eating disorders, and a combined treatment option is given.
Table of Contents
Description
Prevalence and Incidence
Course and Outcome
Etiology
Introduction to the Family
Family Therapy of Anorexia Nervosa
Effectiveness of Family Therapy
Marital and Couple Therapy
Combination Treatments
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "The disease of Anorexia Nervosa affects all aspects of a patient's life, including family functioning. The disease has a set of diagnostic criteria laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2000. Many researches have investigated the family links to the etiology of the disorder. To understand the theory of family therapy for Anorexia Nervosa, an understanding of family structure and family therapy in general is needed. Current research has found that involving the family in therapy is a useful tool in the healing process. Family therapy of Anorexia involves three stages ranging from the initial meeting to setting future goals and termination of the sessions. If the patient with Anorexia is married, then brief marital or couple therapy is used. Other forms of treatment such as nutritional rehabilitation or psychopharmacology usually accompany most family therapy."
Abstract This paper seeks to analyze the directorial aspects of a couple that lived a cage for three days. By becoming "Circus Freaks" in an old custom that depicted South American Indians as savages, they see seek to explore how people would react in a city environment in Columbia, South America. By seeing the filming, the racial perspectives, and the reactions the couple get, we can see how this film provokes historical revisions on Indian heritage.
This paper examines communication between gay couples through the lens of how it affects, and is affected by, imposed heterosexuality within the society at large.
1,900 words (approx. 7.6 pages), 12 sources, 2002, $ 71.95
Abstract The paper emphasizes that the patriarchal society narrows the parameters within which gay couples' communication can occur, since it socially constructs gender roles and sexual orientation. The essay argues that it is the communication between gay couples that serves as the stepping-stone for society to become more inclusionary toward same-sex orientation.
Abstract Coaching divorced couples through the difficult process of separation is a fundamental counseling question. This work outlines the opportunities and plans that are currently available to divorced couples for dealing with the stressors of emotional, financial, and social separation. Additionally, the paper addresses issues of shared parenting techniques that have been tried and tested within the coaching field.
From the Paper "Divorce coaching is the process of attempting to help individuals deal with their personal psychological difficulties, as well as learning to work together to solve post divorce issues, not the least of which is the shared parenting of minor children. Much of the research regarding the difficulties of divorce situations is dated. The dynamics of divorce have changed, as the legal and social systems that deal with the subject of divorce have altered their strategies to better meet the needs of the masses of individuals dealing with legal separation."
Abstract This paper presents an assessment of a married couple dealing primarily with issues of infidelity. The paper includes a literature review of the topic of infidelity, sexual jealousy and related issues as well as a discussion of the significance of the problem of infidelity. Also included is a description of the couple under assessment, their home life, issues of trust and physical abuse and their social standards.
Abstract This paper discusses how prejudice against same-sex parents, preventing them from adopting, is not only unfounded but also transgresses the dignity and human rights of gay couples. It also relates how the issue of adoption is intrinsically linked to the larger social and moral question of the acceptance of gay couples as full and legitimate members of society.
From the Paper "While society or sectors of society may regard parenting by gay couples with suspicion, there is no convincing scientific evidence to suggest that children raised by same-sex parents suffer any serious deficits or are deviant in any sense. (Hulbert, A. 2004) In truth much of the evidence points to the fact that children raised by gay parents are in some ways more balanced and resilient. There is also no evidence to suggest that children reared by same-sex partners are less intelligent or more likely to have problems than children of straight parents.
However, there are many prejudicial views against same-sex parents and the adoption of children."
This paper discusses the issue of adoption of children by interracial couples, transracial adoptions, which presents an ethical dilemma for social workers.
Abstract This paper explains that racial issues can be particularly difficult for the social worker to handle because skin color represents an extremely controversial issue. The author points out that interracial couples are a particular challenge for the social worker because either a black child or a white child will have one parent that is not of the same ethnicity. The paper relates that some people feel that children, placed into homes that are not homogeneous in ethnic or racial makeup and not consistent with the child's own race, can be harmful to the child; however, the paper concludes that transracial couples should be allowed to adopt because otherwise these children, who are left in non-permanent homes while awaiting the availability of same-race adoptive parents, will suffer more severe damage, such as non-attachment disorders. The paper includes several quotations.
From the Paper "This organization's public announcement of this stance nearly stopped all trans-racial adoptions from taking place in the next few years, and the insistence that foster homes and institutional holdings were better for Black children than being in a White household had a large impact on how children of nonwhite ethnicity would be handled in coming decades. In fact, the Child Welfare League of America revised the 1968 standards in 1973 to actually state that same-race placements for children were always better than interracial placements."
An argument suggesting that the only thing that threatens the children of same-sex couples is societal prejudices against their parents, rather than their family situation.
Abstract This paper examines the issues surrounding children who are raised by same-sex couples. It shows that these children are not endangered or compromised in any way by their nontraditional living situation. The paper also discusses whether these children are more likely to be homosexual, simply because their parents are. It then suggests that the only thing that threatens the children of same-sex couples is societal prejudices against their parents, rather than their family situation.
From the Paper "In conclusion, we have seen that - contrary to popular belief - many same-sex couples raise children. We have also seen that the children they raise do just as well as other children, and that the parenting skills and psychological health of same-sex couples are comparable to those of heterosexual couples. Thus, while these families may not be traditional, they are nevertheless good families. Moreover, children raised by same-sex couples are no more likely than other children to turn out gay themselves - and even if they were, this would not in itself constitute an argument against same-sex parenting, as there is nothing wrong with being lesbian or gay. As we have seen, the only serious problems faced by children of same-sex couples are that other people may discriminate against them, and also that the legal systems of most countries do not protect them, because their parents cannot marry. Thus, all in all, same-sex parenting should be accepted as a viable way to raise children, and social attitudes and laws should be amended to support these families."
Tags: homosexual, gay, lesbian, parent, traditional
Abstract The paper discusses facts concerning children raised by same-sex couples and focuses on the effects on the children of growing up in a same-sex parented household. The paper states that there are no significant negative effects of lesbian or gay parents on children's mental, social, emotional and sexual development. The paper comments that the negative effects that do occur are very small and are a product of a stigmatizing and discriminating society that does not view same-sex relationships as equal to opposite-sex relationships. The paper concludes that to deny same-sex couples the right to adopt will only perpetuate society's discrimination of homosexuals and continue to create a vicious cycle of stigma and inequality.
From the Paper "These differences have been mostly explained due to the nature of the same-sex parenting relationship. In same-sex households, children may acquire higher levels of empathy due to their more frequent experiences of social stress, stigma or harassment due to their family composition. Instead of reacting to these forms of discrimination with increased societal withdrawal, children of same-sex parents have been found to express themselves as being more tolerant of all members of society and more understanding of the pain and suffering of others. In addition, their increased comfort with their own sexuality has been attributed to the fact that the majority of same-sex parents do not have expectations for their children in terms of what their sexual orientation will be and are much more open minded to the variety of sexual orientations that exist. "
