American Academy of Pediatrics: Gay marriage is good for kids
Thu. March 21, 2013 8:20 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Chicago, IL -
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which represents over 60,000 pediatricians, issued a policy statement Thursday in support of same-sex marriage equality as well as full adoption and foster care rights for all parents, regardless of sexual orientation.
In the group's words: "Scientific evidence affirms that children have similar developmental and emotional needs and receive similar parenting whether they are raised by parents of the same or different genders. If a child has 2 living and capable parents who choose to create a permanent bond by way of civil marriage, it is in the best interests of their child(ren) that legal and social institutions allow and support them to do so, irrespective of their sexual orientation."
A great deal of scientific research documents there is no cause-and-effect relationship between parents' sexual orientation and children's well-being, according to the AAP policy.
"There is a lot of research to back up this policy, said Ellen Perrin, MD, FAAP, co-author of the policy statement. "If a child has two parents that are dedicated and willing to provide a permanent, secure family, why would we not support that family? It's clearly in the best interest of children."
The AAP policy statement, "Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian," also calls for the repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, saying it limits "access to federal benefits associated with civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples, and the right of gay and lesbian adults to adopt and provide foster care for eligible children."
"Children thrive in families that are stable and that provide permanent security, and the way we do that is through marriage," said Benjamin Siegel, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, and a co-author of the policy statement. "The AAP believes there should be equal opportunity for every couple to access the economic stability and federal supports provided to married couples to raise children."
The policy statement, which was released online, will be published in the April issue of Pediatrics magazine.
AAP joins the ranks of major medical organizations with policy statements in favor of same-sex marriage, including the American Medical Association.
In the group's words: "Scientific evidence affirms that children have similar developmental and emotional needs and receive similar parenting whether they are raised by parents of the same or different genders. If a child has 2 living and capable parents who choose to create a permanent bond by way of civil marriage, it is in the best interests of their child(ren) that legal and social institutions allow and support them to do so, irrespective of their sexual orientation."
A great deal of scientific research documents there is no cause-and-effect relationship between parents' sexual orientation and children's well-being, according to the AAP policy.
"There is a lot of research to back up this policy, said Ellen Perrin, MD, FAAP, co-author of the policy statement. "If a child has two parents that are dedicated and willing to provide a permanent, secure family, why would we not support that family? It's clearly in the best interest of children."
The AAP policy statement, "Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian," also calls for the repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, saying it limits "access to federal benefits associated with civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples, and the right of gay and lesbian adults to adopt and provide foster care for eligible children."
"Children thrive in families that are stable and that provide permanent security, and the way we do that is through marriage," said Benjamin Siegel, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, and a co-author of the policy statement. "The AAP believes there should be equal opportunity for every couple to access the economic stability and federal supports provided to married couples to raise children."
The policy statement, which was released online, will be published in the April issue of Pediatrics magazine.
AAP joins the ranks of major medical organizations with policy statements in favor of same-sex marriage, including the American Medical Association.