Ludwig
January 17th, 2013, 3:38 PM
“Social Science Research”, the most prestigious peer reviewed publication of its kind, published an interesting study on the issues faced by children that have been raised by same-sex couples.
Sociologist Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas conducted a study that was innovative both in quantitative and qualitative terms. It based its results on a larger sample on a national level and most importantly, it took into consideration the testimonies of (by now grown up) children that were raised by same-sex couples.
The study showed that 12% of children brought up by same-sex couples contemplate suicide (against 5% of children with heterosexual parents), they are more inclined to be unfaithful (40% against 13%), they are unemployed more often (28% against 8%) and they are more likely to visit a psychotherapist (19% against 8%). They are also more often under social service surveillance compared to peers who are raised by heterosexual couples. In 40% of cases, they will catch a sexually transmitted disease at some point (against 8% of peers raised by heterosexual couples) and they are generally less healthy, poorer and more likely to smoke and commit criminal offences.
The University of Texas, in response to a demand for Regnerus’ dismissal from the U. S. LGBT movement, launched an internal inquiry to check the scientific accuracy of the study and then stated, “The University of Texas at Austin has determined that no formal investigation is warranted into the allegations of scientific misconduct lodged against associate professor Mark Regnerus regarding his July article in the journal Social Science Research.” According to the university, “there is insufficient evidence to warrant an investigation” and it “deemed the matter closed from an institutional perspective.” The internal inquiry therefore recognised the study as a legitimate piece of work and confirmed it respected research methodology protocol.
Those inclined to challenge the results of this study need to be aware that The New York Times approved Regnerus’ research, which is certainly no friend of traditionalist positions. The newspaper wrote, “Outside experts, by and large, said the research was rigorous, providing some of the best data.” The study was also backed by a group of 18 scientists and university professors who published a statement on the Baylor University website and by a number of psychologists and psychiatrists who decided to take sides and recognized the reliability of the uncomfortable results.
See: http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2012/10/6784/
Sociologist Mark Regnerus of the University of Texas conducted a study that was innovative both in quantitative and qualitative terms. It based its results on a larger sample on a national level and most importantly, it took into consideration the testimonies of (by now grown up) children that were raised by same-sex couples.
The study showed that 12% of children brought up by same-sex couples contemplate suicide (against 5% of children with heterosexual parents), they are more inclined to be unfaithful (40% against 13%), they are unemployed more often (28% against 8%) and they are more likely to visit a psychotherapist (19% against 8%). They are also more often under social service surveillance compared to peers who are raised by heterosexual couples. In 40% of cases, they will catch a sexually transmitted disease at some point (against 8% of peers raised by heterosexual couples) and they are generally less healthy, poorer and more likely to smoke and commit criminal offences.
The University of Texas, in response to a demand for Regnerus’ dismissal from the U. S. LGBT movement, launched an internal inquiry to check the scientific accuracy of the study and then stated, “The University of Texas at Austin has determined that no formal investigation is warranted into the allegations of scientific misconduct lodged against associate professor Mark Regnerus regarding his July article in the journal Social Science Research.” According to the university, “there is insufficient evidence to warrant an investigation” and it “deemed the matter closed from an institutional perspective.” The internal inquiry therefore recognised the study as a legitimate piece of work and confirmed it respected research methodology protocol.
Those inclined to challenge the results of this study need to be aware that The New York Times approved Regnerus’ research, which is certainly no friend of traditionalist positions. The newspaper wrote, “Outside experts, by and large, said the research was rigorous, providing some of the best data.” The study was also backed by a group of 18 scientists and university professors who published a statement on the Baylor University website and by a number of psychologists and psychiatrists who decided to take sides and recognized the reliability of the uncomfortable results.
See: http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2012/10/6784/