Gay marriage remains one of the controversial issues in American politics. One of the critical topics associated with gay couples entails adoption of children for foster care. The issue of gay couples to adopt children is one of the political issues in the United States. These are based on the fact that the voters’ decision focus on the issue as one of the agendas towards elections. The political history and election decisions are based on whether the candidates support the gay adoption or not. Adoption of children by gay couples for foster care has been legalized in various states. It is worth noting the number of gay couples adopting children has increased in the United States regardless of the barriers. In the United States, the federal law does not prohibit the adoption of children by gay couples. The gay couples have to consider the states and countries that legalize gay marriages and adoption of children before undertaking the adoption process (Baird 24). In the United States, approximately 21 states have moved to protect the interest of children with gay parents. These entails the support of adoption to gay couples, especially by ensuring that children enjoy the benefits and privileges of having two parents.
The recognition that gay couples can make responsible parents is a major boost to issues of adoption in the United States. Statistics shows that 19 percent of same-sex couples adopt children for foster care. In the general perspective, adoption of children for foster care among gay couples has increased. The politics play a critical role in the increase. Proponents of gay couples adopting children in the political arena assert that gay couples are the best in parenting (Brooks 75). Gay parents are more committed and motivated to taking care of children compared to heterosexual parents. Some of the heterosexual parents become parents by accident. It is worth noting that gay couples do not become parents by default. They follow legal procedures and have the determination to take care of the children. The fact that gay couples plan well to adopt means that they are more involved and committed to the life of children (Newton 32). Those supporting the issues assert that children brought up by gay couples are role models, open-minded and tolerant to various issues in society.
In the United States, there are two states that are very restrictive on issues of adoption. These states are Utah and Mississippi (Tavernise n.p). Despite the challenges, Obama administration recognizes the role played by gay couples in adoptions. The conservative groups in these states are concern on the issues because most of the decisions made by courts favor gay couples. The issue of adoption of children among gay couples has political impact in the United States politics. Obama support for gay couples had political benefits.
Kids of gay couples are more-less the same to heterosexual children on school performance, social functioning, and mental health. The Democrats use this argument in supporting adoption of children. Various success parameter indicates that children of gay couples can compete equally with other children. Therefore, political parties and candidates in support of the gay couple’s adoption believe that it is justified for gay couples to adopt and parent (Baird 22). Children with gay parents grow up to be successful and well-adjusted to norms and values of society. One of the well-adjusted development entails gender stereotypes. Children of gay couples develop respect for all genders and do not have gender stereotype issues.
Proponents of gay couples adopting children assert that one of the main issues in parenting is creating a good and friendly environment. It makes no sense to oppose gay couples to adopt children yet the main concern is having a loving parents (Brooks 82). Gay couples can create loving environment where the children can grow in the best way possible. There are heterosexual parents who are incapable of providing their children with love and care. Focusing on gender on issues of parenting is irrelevant in the modern society (Newton 23).
The proponents of gay couples adopting children base their argument on the rights and freedom as stated by the constitution. It is the right of gay couples to enjoy the privileges enjoyed by the heterosexual couples (Brooks 81). The Democrats advocate friendly laws that support the rights of gay couples. The support earned Democrat's success in various states in the previous elections. Gay couples are good parents, responsible and loving, and they should not be discriminated when it comes to adoption of children. Gay couples do not make mistakes in bringing up adopted children (Stolberg n.p). The political stakeholders and lawmakers have pushed for laws that protect and eliminate discrimination of gay couples adopting children.
The number of orphans of children in poor families’ continues to increase in the United States. The best way to lessen the number of orphans and challenges among children is through adoption. Legal adoption of children among gay couples is a solution to many problems affecting children (Meezan & Jonathan 102). The government in most cases have the responsibility of solving such problems, but this burden can be reduced by gay couples. Legalizing adoption of children by gay couples makes it easy for them to adopt children and provide them with basic needs. People in most cases claim that the marriage is for pro-creation. These means that the heterosexual couples who are infertile should not marry. The logic behind such argument is unrealistic. Adoption of children by same-sex couples and even heterosexual couples should be permitted (Meezan & Jonathan 112). Issues of gay marriages drive the politics of the United States, and the voters make decisions based on whether the party support it or not (Stolberg n.p).
Adoption of children by gay couples has received various opposition. The opponents on the topic based their arguments on religious reasons. Some of the politicians and American citizens affiliated to Christian’s denominations assert that the gay marriage is against the Christian values (Newton 85). The opposition begins by the fact that the Christian teachings are against gay marriages. The Catholic Church opposes the issues of gay marriage and adoption of children by gay couples (Sieczkowski n.p). The religious doctrines tend to oppose the adoption if children due to the moral nature of the issue. The institution of marriage and child care has been defined traditionally to be between a woman and a man.
Parents are believed to be the main role models and socializing agents in the family. Opponents believe that heterosexual parents act as good role models to their children. A child needs a female and male role models in their life. One of the issues is sexual orientation, since both caregivers are of the same gender, it makes it difficult for them to nurture the children to conform to the mainstream society (Staver 45). Political history of United States has always focused on protecting the children and nurturing them to conform to society. Studies show that the sexual orientation is influenced by upbringing and social environment. These means that gay couples can influence their children to develop homosexual behaviors. Domestic history in society asserts that children tend to develop some of the characteristics of their children.
The conservative Republicans in the United States continue to oppose the adoption of children by gay couples. The Republicans assert that the marriage is not just a legal arrangements; hence, same-sex marriage should be banned. The controversy to ban gay marriages affects the legal aspect of adoption (Stolberg n.p). In fact, it is evident that the opposition is based on the traditional definitions of marriage and procreation. Those opposing adoption of children by gay couples assert that the marriage is the critical part of society (Meezan, & Jonathan 112). The United States future depends on how institutions of marriage are defined.
It is the right of gay couples to make their decisions in society. The dynamic nature of society calls for equality in society, especially on issues related to same-sex marriages (McKinley n.p). Gay couples should not be discriminated on adoption laws. They are human beings and have the rights to enjoy family culture regardless of their situation. Adoption gives them an opportunity to enjoy family setup and happiness. Parenting is not based on gender; hence, gay couples have the right to adopt children. The institution of marriage is secular and should not be dictated nu religious objectives (Baird 46). For example, the religious marriages are performed because the state gives them authority; hence they should not dictate the aspects of adoption of children by gay couples.
Based on research it is evident that various stakeholders in politics and civil right organization support adoption of children by gay marriage. Gay couples are the best parents because they are motivated in providing for the adopted children. Gay couples adopt children based on the agreement and the urge to have a family (Brooks 86). The adoption process is not an accident; hence, adopted children are assured of good care and protection. On the same note, it is the right of gay couples to enjoy. The United States legal system should protect the rights and freedom of gay couples and support them in the adoption process (Newton 102). Gay couples are loving and caring, making them great parents to adopted children. In fact, they are capable of creating a friendly environment streamlined towards moral and health growth of children. Adoption of children by gay couples is a critical mechanism of reducing number of orphans in the United States. The political environment in the United States is always associated with controversial issues (McKinley n.p). There are candidates who support the issue of gay marriages and child adoption while other are against it. Voters make decisions based on the sides supported by the presidential candidates. The democrats tend to oppose the adoption of children by gay couples while independent and democrats support the issue.
Works cited
Baird, Robert M. Same-sex Marriage: The Moral and Legal Debate. Amherst, N.Y: Prometheus Books, 2004. Print.
Brooks, Stephen. Understanding American Politics. , 2013. Print.
McKinley, J. N.Y. Judge Alarms Parents by Finding Marriage Law Negates Need for Adoption. New York Times 28 January 2014. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Nov. 2014
Meezan, William, and Jonathan Rauch. "Gay Marriage, Same-Sex Parenting, And America's Children." Future Of Children 15.2 (2005): 97-115. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Newton, David E. Gay and Lesbian Rights: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC- CLIO, 2009. Print.
Sieczkowski, Cavan. “Pope Francis Against gay Marriage, Gay Adoption”. Huffington Post 13 March 2013, Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
Staver, Mathew D. Same-sex Marriage: Putting Every Household at Risk. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman & Holman, 2004. Print.
Stolberg, Sheryl. Obama’s Views on Gay Marriage Evolving. New York Times 18 June, 2011 Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Nov. 2014
Tavernise, Sabrina. "Adoptions Rise by Same-Sex Couples, Despite Legal Barriers." New York Times 14 June 2011: 11. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
