The Missing Link

I think this a very sensitive issue, but gays should not be allowed to adopt for a number of different reasons. First of all they will have a skewed childhood, and when the hit middle school the other kids will have caught on and they surely will be made fun of. Also these kids with gay parents wouldnt be to likely to have a sleepover or anything of that nature because other parents might be skeptical to let their child stay with them. I think gays shouldnt be allowed to adopt to protect the child because kids can be very cruel, and growing up with two dads and two moms just seems kind of weird.

I disagree with Brian. I think its true that they may be teased, but that should not curtail the rights of a couple to adopt. The love between a man and a woman and a man and a man or a woman and a woman is of equal value and should reap the same benefits, ie being able to adopt. In response to Conor who said "People relate to men in ways largely influenced by their own father, and to women in ways largely influenced by their own mother. Since every child must relate to men and women in their lives, it makes sense to me that the lack of either sex as a primary caregiver is less than ideal," I disagree. I think that each parent contributes different aspects, regardless of their sex. It is in some ways a stereotype to say that they would be missing out on certain traits which would be influenced by a parent of a certain sex. I think America is worried that a little boy will not play as many sports if he doesnt have a dad. But maybe one if his mothers was a great athlete and he can adhere those traits from her. Or maybe they are worried that a little girl will not know how to braid her hair. But I know of plenty of fathers who have taken it upon themselves to act as the female role and take over some of those things. How do you think it works in single parent homes? The parent is forced to adjust, and it works out just fine. I am not saying that it is an ideal situation for a kid to have homosexual parents, but it should by no means be illegal.

Well, I'm split down the middle on this issue. In support of Ellie's argument that homosexual couples should adopt, I believe that since there is a growing number of single parents in America, a child would ideally be better off being with two parents, whether they may both be female or both be male. Furthermore, many people in places outside the US are raised in extended families, not necessarily by their own parents. Thus, the idea that two dads or two moms is weird does not really apply. I think that the societal norm in America which states that only a man and a woman should raise a child leads us to believe that anything else is "weird" and should be banned However, on the other hand, to uphold Brian's argument, I do feel like it would create some gender confusions for the child. Also, from experience, I grew up with my dad and there were times in my life when I couldn't talk to him about everything that was going on with me-emotionally, physically, relationship-wise etc . . . It just seems unfair to be overall, that an adopted child–who has no choice as to who. his or her parents’ are– should be forced to undergo these difficult circumstances in addition to having to deal with the challenges that come with being adopted.

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I'm not a big fan of gay rights - including the idea that gays have "the right" to adopt. However, back to Conor's statment, "it isn't as if we have so many willing adoptive parents that we ought to be turning good couples away simply because they're gay." The same logic applies to prospective single adoptive parents. To me, the only consideration of any consequence is the welfare of the child. If the adoptive parent or parents can provide a loving, economically secure environment for the child, then the child is better off being adopted than being a ward of the state. Gay, Christian, Muslim, straight, redneck or liberal: who cares? The child comes first, and last - there is no "right" to adopt.

I think gays should be allowed to adopt everyone should have the right to something it isnt fair to down someone for what they are as long as they are in a loving home then it should be okay it shouldnt matter what they are. Then if thats the case then that should be like whites cant adopt black children or vice versa so i think they should