Children of same-sex parents are healthier and happier, a new research by the University of Melbourne shows.
The research team analyzed data from the Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families that involved 315 same-sex parents with 500 children. Of these families, 80 per cent had female parents while 18 per cent had male parents.
After their analysis, researchers found that the children of gay parents had scores that were on average 6 percent more than the general population on measures of general health and family cohesion.
Lead study researcher Dr Simon Crouch noted that temperament and mood, behavior, mental health, emotional role, and self-esteem were similar to children from the general population. But, in areas of general health and family unity in particular, children with same-sex parents were doing better than those in the general population.
"It appears that same-sex parent families get along well and this has a positive impact on health," Dr Crouch from the Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Centre for Health Equity at the University of Melbourne said in a press release.
He explained that the possible reason for this could be that gay parents do not take up traditional gender roles. "We know that same-sex attracted parents are more likely to share child care and work responsibilities more equitably than heterosexual parent families, based more on skills rather than gender roles. This appears to be contributing to a more harmonious household and having a positive impact on child health," he said.
Researchers note that the stigma associated with homosexuality is a hurdle for these children that could affect their health and well being. "Stigma can be subtle, such as letters home from school addressed to Mr and Mrs," Dr Crouch said. "Or it can be overt and very harmful, in the form of bullying and abuse at school."
The team noted that it was through better awareness of stigma that these findings will prove helpful in developing policies that improve child health outcomes.
