A new study involving 78 children of lesbian parents hopes to quash fears about homosexual parenting after finding that all participants are doing better in school and are happier than many of their peers.
According to the report from the U.S. National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study, the teens surveyed have GPAs in the A- to B+ range, have numerous close friends who are predominantly heterosexual and consider their parents as shining role models.
'Adolescents with Lesbian Mothers Describe Their Own Lives' is part of a larger study conducted by professors at the Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law that has tracked same sex families for 26 years as it examines the progress of children raised by two mothers.
Role models: A new study has found that teen children of lesbian parents excel in school and have a happier more open-minded approach to life
The 17-year-olds questioned at this stage consisted of 38 boys and 38 girls.
Nearly all of them are planning to go to college after high school and all boasted strong family bonds with an open-minded attitude to life thanks to their non-traditional family situations.
Though in previous studies on the same sample group a few teens had experienced some form of homophobia within their peergroup, a supportive family environment had helped counteract the negative effects.
And despite these obstacles, findings showed that the children demonstrated fewer behavioural problems than a normative sample of same-aged American youth.
The most recent, promising results were drawn after the 78 participants answered a series of questions about their everyday life covering topics such as academia, hobbies, goals, friendships, family dynamics, role models, health issues and wellbeing.
'As a psychiatrist, I can say that these are the types of childrearing outcomes that every parent hopes for'
One boy wrote in his questionnaire of his parents: 'They teach me to be accepting of all people on this earth, no matter what differences they may have.'
Another girl described her mothers as 'very successful, powerful, beautiful women who are happy with their lives and I would love to end up like them.'
Nanette Gartrell, MD, Principal Investiator of the study said in a statement: 'These kids were planned and their lesbian mothers were very engaged in parenting.
'At the end of high school, the teens tell us that they have excellent grades, feel connected to their families and friends, and admire their parents.
'As a psychiatrist, I can say that these are the types of childrearing outcomes that every parent hopes for.'
