• Question: Do you think that the gender of a child's parents affects how they develop in childhood? (E.g: gay parents vs straight)

    Asked by anon-184460 to Tom, sarahhodge, Owen, Nathan, Lorna, Abbie on 13 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Abbie Jordan

      Abbie Jordan answered on 13 Nov 2018:

      HI Natasha. It’s an interesting question. I am not sure if we are talking about sexuality (homosexual, versus heterosexual) or gender (men/women). In terms of research, I am honestly not aware of any research that suggests that children develop differently in homes where parents are homosexual versus those that have parents who are heterosexual. I did look as not my area. Some reviews talk about concerns about gender identity in children who live in homes with homosexual parents but there does not seem to be any evidence to support this (it’s a worry people have).

      A really recent study found no differences in psychological adjustment in children between these two scenarios either – see here – https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180628120036.htm

      Hope that helps!

    • Photo: Tom Gallagher-Mitchell

      Tom Gallagher-Mitchell answered on 14 Nov 2018:

      Abbie has given you some great info but I’ll develop this a little. I’ve recently been doing my own research into this on a personal level and research suggests as Abbie states that there are very few differences between children parented in a homosexual vs traditional family environment. Some research does show that as children bought up by gay parents these children are more open to experience, more tolerant of difference and are more confident than their age matched peers.

      One thing to perhaps also consider would be that a number of gay parents may have chosen to adopt therefore the children they bring up in their household may have had other possibilities negative experiences and this may be challenging to overcome for parents regardless of sexuality.

    • Photo: Nathan Hook

      Nathan Hook answered on 14 Nov 2018:

      Research suggests that in males, having older brothers makes being homosexual more likely:
      https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-12-link-older-brothers-odds-homosexual.html

      Essentially, there is an interaction between the mother’s immune system and the male child she is carrying (which doesn’t occur with a female child). Because it’s an immune system response, it happens earlier in development with each child.

      That said, it’s worth noting very recent research suggests everyone is bisexual, even if they don’t identify as such:
      https://nypost.com/2018/03/14/new-research-finds-were-all-bisexual/

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