Austin, Texas, Jun 13, 2012 / 02:59 am
Children brought up by partners in same-sex relationships are encountering more difficulties in adulthood than their conventionally-raised counterparts, according to new findings published June 10.
"On 25 out of 40 different outcomes, there are statistically-significant differences between adult children who grew up with a mother who had a lesbian relationship and those who told us their biological mother and father were, and still are, married," researcher Mark Regnerus told CNA on June 12.
Children of these same-sex households were found to have lower average income levels as adults, along with more physical and mental health problems and more instability in their romantic relationships. They also showed higher levels of unemployment, smoking, need for public assistance and involvement in crime.
"Household instability," Regnerus said, was "a hallmark" of households whose parents engaged in same-sex relationships, whether those households were "led by a mother or father."