Volume 1, Issue 1 | November 2016

Policy Brief
Lesbian and Gay Parents
and Their Children by Charlotte J. Patterson, Ph.D.
and Abbie E. Goldberg, Ph.D.

Talking Points ABSTRACT

Research on lesbian and gay (LG) parents and their children is consistent across studies
Lesbian and gay parents and samples in finding that both parents and children are well adjusted and do not
and their children are as differ in well-being or related developmental outcomes from the general population.
well adjusted as parents and LG-parent families living in supportive environments, and families with more social,
children as is the general financial, and legal resources, generally show the most optimal adjustment. Although
the legal climate for same-sex couples and their children has improved in recent years
population.
in the United States, there is still evidence of greater poverty among families headed
by LG parents. Laws are needed to reduce the likelihood of discrimination against these
families in domains such as employment.
Like others, lesbian and gay
parents and their children
In recent years, considerable controversy has surrounded families headed by lesbian and
fare better when they have gay (LG) parents. Questions posed by courts and legislators have included: Do lesbians and
adequate resources and live in gay men make good parents? How do their children turn out? Despite diversity among LG-
supportive environments. parent families, results of research have shown that LG parents are generally well adjusted,
that their children are developing in positive ways, and that families living in supportive
circumstances seem to show the most positive developmental outcomes. This brief
Despite the recent provides an overview of findings from social science research, as well as recommendations
introduction of marriage for policies to help LG-parent families to thrive.

equality in the United States, Diversity Among Lesbian and Gay Parents
children of lesbian and gay Families headed by LG parents are sometimes viewed as a homogeneous group, but they
parents are still more likely are in fact very diverse.1 Like other families, they vary on and are influenced by many
characteristics, including race, ethnicity, education, and income. In addition to these shared
than children of heterosexual
forms of diversity, LG-parent families also differ in ways that are more specific to them.1 For
parents to live in poverty. example, some LG parents have children in the context of marriages to heterosexual partners,
before coming out as LG; after coming out, many rear children as divorced lesbian mothers
or divorced gay fathers. This pathway to parenthood is less common today than it was 20 or
Supportive laws, such as 30 years ago, in part because of increasing opportunities for family building, but it is still a
a federal nondiscrimination prominent mode of LG-parent family formation. In contrast, some LG parents have children in
bill, can help lesbian the context of LG identities, and their experiences are likely to be different in many ways.2
and gay parents and their LG adults take many different pathways to parenthood after they have come out.3 Some
children to thrive. lesbian women conceive children via assisted reproductive technologies such as donor
 Policy Brief
insemination. Some gay men conceive children via surrogacy. Early research on children of LG parents often involved smaller,
Donors and surrogates may be friends or relatives, or they may relatively homogeneous groups of families, but newer studies
be contacted through a clinic and remain unknown to the have been based on larger, more diverse samples.5 The central
family. Other LG individuals become parents through adoption findings described here have been confirmed in studies based
or serve as foster parents. Still others may conceive via sexual on larger studies of representative samples. For instance, one
intercourse with a different-sex partner. set of studies was based on findings from a large nationally
representative sample of American teenagers.10 The central
Research on Lesbian and Gay Parents
findings described here have also been confirmed not only for
and Their Children
young children but also for older children and young adults. For
Considerable research with LG parents and their children has
instance, a number of studies interviewed young adults who
been conducted over the past 30 years by social scientists who
grew up with lesbian mothers and came to conclusions similar to
are specialists in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and
those described earlier here.4 A few investigators have suggested
family science.4,5 This research has addressed aspects of LG
different conclusions, but their work has been discredited by
parenting, as well as children’s development. In this section, we
reputable scholars and by major scientific organizations.11 As
present an overview of findings from this research.
replications of results accumulate in studies from different
Research on LG parents has shown them to be generally investigators who are working with multiple samples,
healthy and well adjusted.5,6 For example, in a study of confidence in the soundness of these findings has increased.
divorced lesbian and divorced heterosexual mothers, mothers
Contexts of Lesbian and Gay Parenting
were found, regardless of sexual orientation, to be similar
Although LG parents and their children have been found to
in self-reported mental health, as well as in observations of
show good adjustment overall, there are marked variations
their behavior with children.7 In another study of lesbian
in their social and political environments.12 Legal and policy
and heterosexual women who conceived children via
climates vary across national boundaries, social conditions may
donor insemination, mothers in both groups reported high
vary from one neighborhood to another, and attitudes may
self-esteem and few symptoms of mental health problems;
vary from one family to another. How do such variations affect
they were also equally happy in their couple relationships.8
the lives of LG parents and their children? Researchers have
A recent study of LG and heterosexual couples who had
found that families who live in supportive environments are
adopted children found all the parents to be well adjusted and
more likely to thrive.4,5,6
successful in caring for their children.9 In fact, many studies
have reported that LG parents are indistinguishable from Some research has examined differences across national
heterosexual parents in terms of overall mental health.6 boundaries. For example, one study focused on experiences
of lesbian mothers who were living in Canada versus the
Research has found LG parents to be succeeding in parental
United States. Conducted at a time when Canada recognized
roles, and it has also revealed that their children are developing
and the United States did not recognize the marriages of
in positive ways. For example, in the previously mentioned study
same-sex couples, the study found that mothers in the United
of divorced lesbian and divorced heterosexual mothers, children
States reported more worries about legal recognition of
in the two groups were found to be developing in much the
their family ties than did mothers in Canada.13 Another study,
same ways; there were no differences in sexual, social, or
conducted in the Netherlands and the United States, showed
psychological development among the children.7 In the study of
that in the more tolerant environment of the Netherlands,
children conceived via donor insemination, both parents and
children of lesbian mothers were more likely to be open about
teachers reported that children were developing in typical ways
their families with friends and less likely to report feeling
and that those with lesbian mothers were indistinguishable from
stigmatized.14 Thus, families who live in more favorable
those with heterosexual mothers.8 In the study of LG and
national environments seem to have fewer worries and to be
heterosexual adoptive couples and their children, teachers and
more open than those living in other contexts.
parents reported that children in all three groups were generally
healthy and doing well.9 Overall, children of LG parents appear to
develop in ways that are similar to children reared in families
headed by heterosexual parents.4,5

2 Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children

 Policy Brief
Additional studies have focused on the qualities of neighborhoods right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex as it is to other-sex
in which families live. For instance, one study found that, among couples under the Constitution, thus legalizing same-sex
LG couples who were becoming adoptive parents, those who marriage throughout the country. In this way, same-sex
considered their neighborhoods supportive were less likely couples who wished to marry were given access to many rights
to suffer from depressive symptoms.15 The same study also and benefits, such as increased access to health insurance for
found that those who saw their families of origin as supportive their children.
were less likely to feel depressed. Thus, LG parents who live in
While the legal terrain for same-sex couples in the United
favorable social contexts seem to have fewer symptoms.
States has changed dramatically in the past few years, many
The offspring of LG parents also seem to fare better when concerns remain. Discrimination against sexual minorities in
they attend schools with climates that are favorable for them.5 employment, housing, and other areas is still legal in most
Many researchers have studied the experiences of children of parts of the country. Across the country today, 22 states and
LG parents with regard to homophobic teasing or bullying, the District of Columbia forbid employment discrimination
and all these have reported that children described this as a on the basis of sexual orientation, but the other 28 states do
negative experience.4 Some research has suggested that both not offer such protections. Thus, in a majority of the states,
LG parents and their children are less likely to feel alienated discrimination against LG workers is legal. Even in states with
and more likely to have favorable experiences overall when nondiscrimination laws, religious exemptions have been
school curricula and policies are explicitly inclusive of them. In introduced to allow for discrimination in some cases.17
one study, adolescents with lesbian mothers were asked about
their views of the communities in which they lived. Results Figure 1: Poverty in the U.S. as a Function of Sexual Orientation
showed that youth who saw their neighborhoods and school
Unemployed
environments as supportive also reported greater feelings of
12%
overall well-being.16
8%
Conclusions and Policy Recommendations
Overall, the findings from many years of research in this No health insurance
area have yielded some important conclusions.4,5,6 First, LG 21%
individuals have been found to do well in parenting roles. 14%
Second, children reared by LG parents are well adjusted and
seem to develop in positive ways. Third, when they live in < $24,000/year
supportive environments, LG parents and their children are 32%
more likely to thrive. 24%

Research suggests that children of LG parents fare best when

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
they live in environments that are characterized by support
n LGBT n Heterosexual
for their families.5,6 Like those in other families, when children
have positive relationships with grandparents, they seem to Data from Williams Institute (2016). LGBTStats. Los Angeles, CA: Author. Retrieved from
http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT#economic  
benefit.5 When children view their schools and neighborhoods
as supportive, they are more likely to thrive.4 Family, school,
In the United States, children of LG parents are also more
and neighborhood contexts make a difference for both parents
likely than children of heterosexual parents to lack adequate
and children.
financial resources. LG adults are more likely than others to
In the United States, recent changes in federal law have be unemployed and to have low incomes.18 Findings from
improved the climate for LG parents and their children. In a recent federal survey revealed that 12% of children living
2013, in United States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court with different-sex couples but 20%–24% of children living
held that the federal government cannot refuse to recognize with same-sex couples were living below the poverty line
legally contracted marriages of same-sex couples. In 2015, in (see Figure 1).19 Poverty among families headed by same-sex
Obergefell v. Hodges, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the couples may be linked with employment discrimination.

Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children 3

 Policy Brief
Author Bios POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Charlotte J. Patterson is a An important policy change that could improve the climate for LG parents and their
Professor of Psychology at the children would thus be passage of a federal nondiscrimination bill, on the model of
University of Virginia. Best
known for her work on child the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in
development in lesbian- and employment, housing, and other areas. In addition, closure of religious exemptions that
gay-parented families, Patterson allow for continued discrimination against sexual minorities would be a valuable step
won APA’s 2009 Distinguished toward full equality. In these ways, the United States could ensure more inclusive and
Contributions to Research in
Public Policy Award, and (with supportive environments for LG parents and their children.
Rachel Farr) NCFR’s 2015 Alexis
Walker Award for best paper in
the field of family science for
2013-2014. References
Abbie E. Goldberg is an Associate 1
Goldberg, A. E., & Allen, K. R. (Eds.). (2013). LGBT-parent families. New York, NY: Springer.
Professor of Psychology at Clark 2
Tornello, S. L., & Patterson, C. J. (2015). Timing of parenthood and experiences of gay fathers: A life course
University, where her research perspective. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 11, 35–56.
focuses on diverse families, 3
Patterson, C. J., & Riskind, R. G. (2010). To be a parent: Issues in family formation among gay and lesbian adults.
including LGBT- and adoptive- Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 6, 326–340.
parent families. She won the 2010 4
Goldberg, A. E. (2010). Lesbian and gay parents and their children: Research on the family life cycle. Washington, DC:
Distinguished Book Award and American Psychological Association.
the 2014 Distinguished Scientific 5
Patterson, C. J. (2013). Family lives of lesbian and gay adults. In G. W. Peterson & K. R Bush (Eds.), Handbook of
Contribution Award, both from marriage and family (pp. 659–681). New York, NY: Springer.
the Society for Psychological 6
Golombok, S. (2015). Modern families: Parents and children in new family forms. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge
Research on LGBTQ Issues (APA University Press.
Division 44). 7
Golombok, S., Spencer, A., & Rutter, M. (1983). Children in lesbian and single-parent households: Psychosexual
and psychiatric appraisal. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24, 551–572.
8
Chan, R., Raboy, B., & Patterson, C. J. (1998). Psychosocial adjustment among children conceived via donor
insemination by lesbian and heterosexual mothers. Child Development, 69, 443–457.
9
Farr, R. H., Forssell, S. L., & Patterson, C. J. (2010). Parenting and child development in adoptive families: Does
parental sexual orientation matter? Applied Developmental Science, 14, 164–178.
10
Wainright, J. L., Russell, S. T., & Patterson, C. J. (2004). Psychosocial adjustment and school outcomes of
National Council on Family Relations adolescents with same-sex parents. Child Development, 75, 1886–1898.
1201 West River Parkway
Suite 200
11
Gates, G. J. (2015). Marriage and family: LGBT individuals and same-sex couples. Future of Children, 25, 67–87.
Minneapolis, MN 55454-1115 12
Patterson, C. J. (2009). Children of lesbian and gay parents: Psychology, law, and policy. American Psychologist, 64,
Toll free: 888-781-9331 727–736.
Fax: 763-781-9348
www.ncfr.org
13
Shapiro, D. N., Peterson, C., & Stewart, A. (2009). Legal and social contexts and mental health among lesbian
and heterosexual mothers. Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 255–262.
Research and Policy Briefs Editor: 14
Bos, H. M. W., Gartrell, N. K., van Balen, F., Peyser, H., & Sandfort, T. G. M. (2008). Children in planned lesbian
Joyce A. Arditti, Ph.D. families: A cross-cultural comparison between the United States and the Netherlands. American Journal of
Orthopsychiatry, 78, 211–219.
Copyright © 2016 National Council on
Family Relations 15
Goldberg, A. E., & Smith, J. Z. (2011). Stigma, support, and mental health: Lesbian and gay male couples across the
transition to parenthood. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58, 139–150.
This policy brief may be duplicated,
distributed, or posted electronically 16
Vyncke, J. D., Julien, D., Jouvin, E., & Jodoin, E. (2014). Systemic heterosexism and adjustment among adolescents
with attribution to the National Council raised by lesbian mothers. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 46, 375–386.
on Family Relations. 17
Wang, T., Geffen, S., & Cahill, S. (2016). The current wave of anti-LGBT legislation. Boston, MA: Fenway Institute.
Inclusion of portions or all of this brief
in printed or electronic textbooks,
18
Williams Institute (2016). LGBTStats. Los Angeles, CA: Author. Retrieved from http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/
anthologies, or other publications visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT#economic
requires permission from NCFR. 19
Badgett, M. V. L., Durso, L. E., & Schneebaum, A. (2013). New patterns of poverty in the lesbian, gay, and bisexual
The views expressed within this community. Los Angeles, CA: Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law.
publication may not represent the views
or policies of the entire organization.
To see all NCFR research briefs and policy
briefs, visit ncfr.org/publications/research-
and-policy-briefs

4 Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children