No differences? Meta-analytic comparisons of psychological adjustment in children of gay fathers and heterosexual parents.

Abstract

The field of literature on gay male parenting is small, especially compared to the number of studies on lesbian parenting. No meta-analysis has specifically compared the children of gay fathers to the children of heterosexual parents nor has any meta-analysis applied the newly developed quality-effects model to this field of research. The current study applied the fixed effects, random effects, and quality-effects models of meta-analysis to 10 studies (35 standardized mean differences) from the past 10 years to evaluate child psychological adjustment by parent sexual orientation. Studies both within and outside of the United States with a range of child ages and sample sizes were included. The quality-effects model of meta-analysis helps mitigate error caused by methodological differences in studies in addition to random error attributed to small sample sizes, making it the most appropriate model for this study. Although the quality-effects model provided results closest to our hypothesis that there would be no difference, results indicated that children of gay fathers had significantly better outcomes than did children of heterosexual parents in all 3 models of meta-analysis. These results may be attributable to potential higher socioeconomic status for gay fathers traditionally associated with dual earner households, better preparedness for fatherhood in the face of strong antigay stigma directed at same-sex families, and more egalitarian parenting roles. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed. Public Significance StatementResults suggest that children of gay fathers have better outcomes than do children of heterosexual couples. As an early study in a growing field, the current study highlights the need for further research in areas such as parental preparation, family support resources, and nontraditional family types.

Are the Fathers Alright? A Systematic and Critical Review of Studies on Gay and Bisexual Fatherhood

“…Conversely, according to Farr et al ( 2010 ). Further evidence has highlighted that children of gay fathers may have even better outcomes than those of heterosexual parents in some psychological domains, namely less gender-stereotyped and less internalizing and externalizing behaviors (Goldberg et al, 2012b ; Golombok et al, 2014 ; Miller et al, 2017 ). To date, most of what we know about the role of fathers in child development has been from research on heterosexual fathers parenting with mothers.…”

“…In sharp contrast with these perceptions, a recent meta-analysis exploring the impact of gay fatherhood on children's psychological adjustment has found that in comparison with children of heterosexual parents, children of gay fathers may even fare better on some psychological domains, namely demonstrate less internalizing and externalizing problems (Miller et al, 2017 ). The authors argue that these differences may be attributed to better sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., higher income, level of education), as well as to the resilience shown by gay fathers in face of a discriminatory and oppressive social climate.…”

The kids are OK: it is discrimination not same‐sex parents that harms children

“…Some research has indicated that children with same‐sex parents do better than other children. In addition to equivalent social and educational outcomes, these studies conclude that children raised by same‐sex couples show better psychological adjustment, and greater open‐mindedness towards sexual, gender and family diversity 3 , 11 , 12 . However, the authors note that these positive differences may reflect the high quality parenting, socio‐economic status and family stability within the same‐sex parented families studied 11 , 12 …”

“…3,11,12 However, the authors note that these positive differences may reflect the high quality parenting, socio-economic status and family stability within the same-sex parented families studied. 11,12 Studies concluding that children with same-sex parents do poorly A study using data from the New Family Structures Studysometimes referred to as the Regnerus study 13is often cited as evidence that children do poorly when raised by gay or lesbian parents. The study analysed survey data from adults aged 18e39 years and concluded that those with a gay or lesbian parent fared worse on a range of social, emotional and relational outcomes when compared with adults raised by heterosexual, married, biological parents.…”

The Evolution of Fathering Research in the 21st Century: Persistent Challenges, New Directions

“…Goldberg's () qualitative study with 70 gay fathers provided important insights into how gay fathers reconfigured their roles as partners and workers once they became parents (half of the couples adopted a child); how they perceived their changing relationships with friends, family members, and the larger society during the transition to parenthood; and how they managed their multiple minority statuses in the context of their larger communities. A recent meta‐analysis of 10 studies examining effects on children revealed that children of gay fathers had better outcomes than children of heterosexual parents, although the authors noted that the differences may have been attributed to gay fathers having higher socioeconomic status (Miller, Kors, & Macfie, ). Studies that have been published since this meta‐analysis have similarly found that gay fathers display attachment patterns with children that are comparable to or more secure than patterns of attachment between heterosexual fathers and children (McConnachie et al, ; for a review, see also Parke, ).…”