Children of Same-Sex Parents are Healthier: Study

Children of same-sex couples are more healthy and happy, finds a study.

 Australian researchers from the University of Melbourne looked at 315 same-sex couples with 500 children to note the overall health and wellbeing of the children. Around 80 percent of these families had female parents and only 18 percent had male parents.

It was observed the health status of children and family bonding in these families was six percent higher compared to children of heterosexual parents. Variables like mood, temperament, behavior, self-esteem, emotional and mental health in children of same-sex parents were similar to children with heterosexual parents. But, families of homosexual couples were much peaceful and attached than those in the general population.

"It appears that same-sex parent families get along well and this has a positive impact on health, said Simon Crouch, from the Jack Brockhoff Child Health and Wellbeing Program, Centre for Health Equity at the University of Melbourne in a news release.

"We know that same-sex attracted parents are more likely to share child care and work responsibilities more equitably than heterosexual parent families, based more on skills rather than gender roles. This appears to be contributing to a more harmonious household and having a positive impact on child's health, " he adds.

These findings suggest children can cope up in any family structure and homosexual couples are capable of efficiently delivering parental responsibilities. However, the study noted over two-thirds of the children experience social stigma and embarrassment because of the parents' sexual orientation, which takes a toll on their mental and physical health.

"Stigma can be subtle, such as letters home from school addressed to Mr and Mrs. Or it can be overt and very harmful, in the form of bullying and abuse at school. What we have found is that the more stigma these families experience the greater the impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of children," said Crouch.

The authors believe new health and polices must be introduced to prevent health outcomes caused by social stigma. The study requires further investigation to examine the impacts of stigma and discrimination suffered by children of same-sex parents.

More information is available online in the journal BMC Public Health.