Same-Sex Florida Adoptions Pros and Cons

Views and opinions may vary about same-sex adoption, but the fact that every child deserves a stable and loving home is never questioned or debated. Regardless of gender or sexuality, children need to have parents that provide an environment they can grow up in and thrive. When considering placing your baby up for adoption, you want them to have parents that can support them, love them unconditionally, and be an unwavering pillar to lean on. If you’re new to adoption and considering all of your options, you probably have some questions about gay adoption in Florida. 

If you are considering adoption in Florida, Adoption Choices of Florida is here to help provide support, access to resources and guide you through the adoption process. We know you want the best for your baby, and the most significant part of that is ensuring they’ll be placed which meets your needs and wants. All of our potential adoptive parents go through several rigorous background and medical checks so you can rest easy and they will be safe and taken care of. If you’re curious about gay adoption in Florida, here are some pros and cons to consider when looking at adoptive parents. 

Pros of Same-Sex Adoption in Florida

If you’re an active ally to the LGBTQ+ community, you probably already know the pros of gay adoption. However, if you’re still on the fence and unsure, these are just a few advantages to placing your baby with a same-sex couple. 

• Two Parents are Better than None

It can be challenging as a birth mother to pick an adoptive family that checks every box. If you’re considering adoption, you already know you can’t raise your baby yourself for one reason or another. The ultimate goal of adoption is to place your baby with a loving and stable family so they have the best chance at life. Sexuality or gender shouldn’t be a deterrent for putting your baby with an otherwise great family. 

• A Couple Gets the Opportunity to Have a Family

The biggest reason why couples adopt is that they are unable to have a family on their own. As a result, gay couples and those who face infertility rely on birth mothers to fulfill their wish to be parents. You have the unique opportunity to provide life and family the gift to a couple that otherwise wouldn’t have that ability. 

• Children Tend to Thrive in Same-Sex Couple House

There is still a lot of research being done on the effects of children raised by same-sex parents. Although largely not different from heterosexual parents, same-sex parents tend to have children that are more open, compassionate and accepting of others. 

Cons of Same-Sex Adoption in Florida 

No decision is ever clear-cut, and there will always be disadvantages that balance the advantages. It’s important to remember the difference between fact-based disadvantages and misconceptions. 

• Backlash From Those Around You

You may already be facing some negativity from friends and family by choosing adoption. Choosing to place your children with a gay couple may lead to some additional turmoil. You should be aware of people that will judge you and question your decisions. 

• The Child May Experience Bullying

Kids will always find things to tease, pick on, and bully each other about. Although there’s no real data to prove that children with same-sex parents face more bullying than other kids, it is a possibility. Young children mimic their parent’s behavior, so if the other parents are homophobic, their children may repeat what they hear at home. 

• Misconceptions About LGBTQ+ Adoption

The adoption community is no stranger to misconceptions and myths. Just as anything that isn’t traditional is immediately scrutinized, there are many untrue ideas being spread about same-sex adoption. These have been proven to be false and are often perpetuated by those against gay marriage and gay adoption. Be aware that those around you may try to convince you that these are reasons not to choose a gay couple to adopt your baby. 

• LGBTQ+couples will raise gay kids/will turn their kids gay. There is no evidence or data to support that a parent’s sexuality has an effect on their child’s sexuality. If this were true, straight parents wouldn’t have gay kids. 
• LGBTQ+ couples are not stable parents. Again, there is no evidence to support this. In fact, there are current studies that lean towards same-sex parents being more stable as a couple.  
• The child will be ostracised by their peers. This myth is mostly popularized by TV and movies. There’s no proof that children are bullied more for having two dads or two moms. 
• Children need a mother and a father. The sexuality of a child’s parents has no psychological development consequences. 
• Children raised by same-sex couples have behavioral issues. Contrarily, children of gay parents tend to have fewer social problems, break the rules less, and are less aggressive.

Same-Sex vs. Heterosexual Parents: What’s the Real Difference?

When it comes down to it, there’s no research that shows any kind of difference between a child raised by heterosexual parents and those raised by gay or lesbian parents. They are, by all accounts, the same. If you are still on the fence about choosing a gay couple for adoption, what are the disadvantages that you see? It can be easy to find problems with any kind of adoption when you put it under a microscope. As an adoption agency, we are on the side of adoption. We’re here to advocate for you and place your baby with a family you can be at peace with. You should never feel pressured into choosing or not choosing a certain family. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? 

If you are a pregnant woman in Florida considering adoption, and have any questions or concerns about the adoption process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. For more information on adoption, visit us at Adoption Choices of Florida or call us at: (833) 352-3678