“A child needs both a mother and a father to have the best chance in life.” As a parent in a same-sex marriage, you may have heard this phrase often. Understandably, it can be enough to make you see red. You and your spouse love your children as much as any Texas parent, regardless of your sexual orientation. Despite the hurtful words, or perhaps because of them, you may be interested in finding out how children do when both parents are the same gender.
It may not be a surprise to you, but reassuring nonetheless, to learn that current studies are supporting the notion that children fare equally well in families that have same-gender parents as those in families with a mother and a father. Newsweek reported that the National Health Interview Surveys between 2013 and 2015 – an extensive study involving about 21,000 children across the country – determined the children of same-sex couples fared no worse emotionally or psychologically than kids in more traditional family settings.
However, it may be worth noting that children with same-gender parents may be affected by the social stigma that their parents experience. This implies that the stress you and your partner experience from negative treatment by others may be felt by your children. If you are aware of this problem, you may be able to address it in a healthy way that reassures your children and makes them feel more secure.
You are already aware that you have unique challenges parenting in a same-sex relationship, and some of these may necessitate experienced legal counsel.