Lesbian & Gay Parenting (homosexuals, marriage, sex)

[Lightkeeper]

Should Lesbian & Gay parents have the parent of the opposite sex involved with their children? In the case of a Lesbian couple. Should the father be involved with the child? This would be the natural father or the man who furnished the sperm, or a father figure. The same would be true of a Gay couple. Should they have a mother figure in the picture? Is it important for a child to have a close association with both sexes?

[pensive]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Is it important for a child to have a close association with both sexes?

I think so, yes. However, I think that our society as a whole needs to learn that there are more formats for this association to take beyond parenthood. Indeed, the idea of the nuclear family as an important family structure is a relatively modern construct. Before that, extended families, clans, and tribes were deemed much more important.

[The Voice of Reason]

To me, if two lesbians have a child, it would seem that it would definitely be to the child's advantage if it had a male role model. Whether that role model should be the provider of the sperm or not is open for debate. I can imagine several scenarios where an uncle or a neighbor or a good friend would be a better male role model than the source of the sperm.

I would make the same argument in regards to two male homosexuals that are trying to raise a child.

TVOR

[jewscout]

I suppose if the gay/lesbian couple was fine with it then i think it's a good idea but you don't necessarily need to have the members of the opposite sex there...though it is preferable. My mother raised me on her own and most of the males around me as a child weren't the best of rolemodels. And yet here i am a relatively well adjusted heterosexual human being. So if all parties are cool with it...then i don't see a big deal w/ it.

[The Voice of Reason]

Jewscout - you consider yourself "relatively well adjusted"?

TVOR

PS - I'm just kidding with you.

[jewscout]

Originally Posted by The Voice of Reason

Jewscout - you consider yourself "relatively well adjusted"?

TVOR

sometimes i do

[Isis-Astoroth]

If the child is produced with one biological parent giving sperm/ovum for the homosexual couple, then I should imagine that that person was more like a surrogate mother, so being involved with the child might not be so much of an issue... If the child was produced in a marriage, then if the original parent wants to be involved, then I think they should, as long as they are no harm to the child.

[huajiro]

I dont think any parent that could be a good parent should be excluded. If a child has 50 good parents, they will be 50 times as happy!!

On a side note...it is my understanding that in any relationship hetero- or homosexual, one person is more masculine, one more feminine (Ying and Yang). Because of this, there would be a balance in any loving relationship.

[Lintu]

The more people involved in raising the child, the better. It's like that cheesy saying I'm not too fond of (but is still true): It takes a village to raise a child. My male role models were not only my father, but my grandfathers, great-grandfather, hockey coach, religious leaders, etc.

[Fluffy]

Having no role model of a certain gender could indeed have psychological effects upon a child. However, I don't see why this has to be bad... it could just be different. Not that I know for certain, of course, but many people just seem to assume it will have a bad effect... is there any evidence to suggest that a child will be worse off with no male/female role models in their life? It would be a very tricky one to investigate.