Opponents of same-sex marriage also claim that children raised by homosexuals are more dissatisfied with their own gender, suffer a greater rate of molestation within the family, and have homosexual experiences more often (Knight). Indirectly, opponents go on to say that gay marriage will encourage teens who are unsure of their sexuality to become victims of suicide, depression, drug abuse, and sexually transmitted diseases (Benne and McDermott, 2004). Opponents of same-sex marriage bash the child rearing abilities of homosexuals when we live in a society that allows murderers, convicted felons and child molesters to marry and procreate (Lesbian and gay marriages). Of course, gay or lesbian people make better parents than individuals that fall into those categories and many of the gay parent stereotypes simply aren't true as research clearly demonstrates (Facts and figures about kids with gay parents). As early as 1990, anywhere from six to fourteen million children in the United States were living with a gay or lesbian parent. Research shows that these children had actually been exposed to more people of the opposite sex than many kids of heterosexual parents. With regards to psychosocial well-being, school functioning, and romantic relationships and behaviors, teens with same-sex parents were found to be just as well adjusted as their peers with opposite-sex parents. A more important predictor of teens' psychological and social...

Daughters of lesbians have higher self-esteem than daughters of heterosexual women and sons are more caring and less aggressive. These children have the same incident of homosexuality as the general population.
With millions of children already living with couples in same-sex relationships, the very thing that opponents of same-sex marriage is trying to prevent has already happened. Gays already live together and raise children. Society has changed and the traditional institution of marriage needs to mirror this new reality. Same-sex marriage represents a natural progression in institutional change just as this institution and other institutions have evolved over time.

Bibliography

Benne, R. And McDermott (2004, February 19). Speaking out: Why gay marriage would be harmful." Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/107/41.0.html

Divorce rates. http://www.divorcereform.org/rates.html#anchor1135037

Facts and figures about kids with gay parents http://www.colage.org/research/facts.html

Knight, R.H., Talking points on marriage. http://www.nogaymarriage.com/talkingpoints.html

Lesbian and gay marriages. http://www.holisticwisdom.com/homosexual-gay-marriage.htm

Same-sex marriages (SSM) & civil unions. http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_marr.htm