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Sorry, Kids, But 'I Have Two Daddies' Is No Excuse for Bad Grades
Filed under: Gay Parenting, Research Reveals: Big Kids, Research Reveals: Tweens, Research Reveals: Teens
In a "Modern Family," a parent's sexual orientation shouldn't affect their child's study habits. Credit: Mitch Haddad, ABC/AP
Actually, you probably wouldn't think that at all.
There's no obvious connection between a child's academic performance and his or her parents' sexual orientation. Homework-eating dogs are probably responsible for more bad report cards than same-sex parents.
Nonetheless, researchers will be researchers, and they wanted to check it out.
So, this just in: Children of same-sex parents do as well or as poorly in school as their counterparts with heterosexual or single parents.
"The difference in outcomes varies only a little bit by family structure," Michael Rosenfeld, an associate professor of sociology at Stanford University, tells Canada's Vancouver Sun. "The really important things are parental income and education. The parents' social class is the big determining factor."
Rosenfeld pored over U.S. census numbers from 2000 (the most recent year parents reported their assorted lifestyles) to see how kids fared academically in different family situations. He took into account children's ages and grade levels to figure out how many of them had flunked a grade.
He looked at nearly 613,000 children in first through eighth grades living with two married heterosexual parents and 3,500 living with same-sex parents.
According to the Sun, he found that 6.8 percent of children with straight married parents had been held back. The percentage rose to 9.5 percent among children of lesbians and 9.7 percent of among those raised by gay men.
However, the numbers shot up to 11 percent among children raised by parents who are single, remarried or not legally married to their partners.
So don't be divorced or gay? That's not quite the message here.
Kids with married heterosexual parents seemed to fare better, Rosenfeld tells the newspaper, but only when you don't also take into account wealth, class and other socioeconomic factors.
Controlling for those factors, he says, the differences all but disappear.
"The biggest determinants of children's educational progress are not parental gender but the things we always know have mattered, which is parental education and parental income," the tells the Sun.
Cherie MacLeod, the executive director of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Canada, tells the Sun the study is "absolutely in no way surprising."
In fact, she tells the newspaper, same-sex parents tend to be intensely involved in their children's education because they worry the kids will be bullied or teased.
A 2008 study from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network finds same-sex parents are more likely to attend parent-teacher conferences and volunteer at schools than their straight counterparts.
"I look forward to the day when we're not constantly turning to researchers to justify the value and the validity of same-sex couples and families that are headed by same-sex couples in society," MacLeod tells the Sun.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
11-01-2010 @ 11:04AM
R said...TWO DAD'S, TWO MOM'S, EITHER WAY THE POOR KIDS IS IN BAD COMPANY!
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11-01-2010 @ 3:46PM
Kicka said...Please take a moment and read this horrific after death account from a priest from India. Once you've read it you will know why living a style contrary to the Will of God isn't worth it.
I was born on July 16, 1949 in Kerala, India to my parents, Joseph and Theresa Maniyangat. I am the eldest of seven children: Jose, Mary, Theresa, Lissama, Zachariah, Valsa and Tom.
At the age of fourteen, I entered St. Mary’s minor seminary in Thiruvalla to begin my studies for the priesthood. Four years later I went to St. Joseph’s Pontifical Major Seminary in Alwaye, Kerala to continue my priestly formation. After completing seven years of Philosophy and Theology I was ordained a priest on January 1, 1975 to serve as a missionary at the Diocese of Thiruvalla.
In 1978 while teaching at the St. Thomas minor seminary in Bathery, I became an active member of the Charismatic Renewal movement and began conducting charismatic retreats and conferences in Kerala.
On Sunday April 14, 1985, the Feast of Divine Mercy, I was going to celebrate Mass at a mission church in the north part of Kerala, and I had a fatal accident. I was riding a motorcycle when I was hit head-on by a jeep driven by a man who was intoxicated after a Hindu festival. I was rushed to a hospital about 35 miles away. On the way my soul came out from my body and I experienced death. Immediately I met my Guardian angel. I saw my body and the people who were carrying me to the hospital. I heard them crying and praying for me. At this time my angel told me: “I am going to take you to Heaven, the Lord wants to meet you and speak with you”. He also said that on the way he wanted to show me hell and purgatory.
First, the angel escorted me to hell. It was an awful sight! I saw Satan and the devils, an unquenchable fire of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, worms crawling, people screaming and fighting, others being tortured by demons. The angel told me all these sufferings were due to unrepented mortal sins. Then, I understood there are seven degrees of suffering or levels according to the number and kinds of mortal sins committed in their earthly lives. The souls looked very ugly, cruel and horrible. It was a fearful experience. I saw people whom I knew but I am not allowed to reveal their identities. The sins that convicted them were mainly abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, hatefulness, unforgiveness, sacrilege etc. The angel told me if they had repented they would have avoided hell and gone instead to purgatory. I also understood some people who repent from these sins might be purified on earth through their sufferings. This way they can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven.
I was surprised when I saw in hell even Priests, Nuns and Bishops, some of whom I never expected to see. Many of them were there because they had misled the people with false teaching and bad example.
After the visit to hell, my Guardian angel escorted me to Purgatory. Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire. But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarreling nor fighting. The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God. Some of those who are in Purgatory committed numerous mortal sins; but they were reconciled with God before their death. Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face.
I had a chance to communicate with the souls in Purgatory. They asked me to pray for them and to tell the people to pray for them as well, so they can go to heaven quickly. When we pray for these souls, we will receive their gratitude through their prayers and once they enter heaven their prayers become even more meritorious.
Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel. I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life. Then immediately heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I have never heard before. The angels were singing and praising God. I saw all the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and many dedicated holy Bishops and Priests who were shining like stars. When I appeared before the Lord, Jesus told me: “I want you to go back to the world. In your second life you will be an instrument of peace and healing to my people. You will work in a foreign land and you will speak in a foreign tongue. Everything is possible for you with my grace”. After these words, the Blessed Mother told me: “Do whatever He tells you. I will help you in your ministries”.
Words can not express the beauty of heaven. There we find so much peace and happiness, which exceed a million times our imagination. Our Lord is far more beautiful than any image can convey. His face is radiant and luminous and more beautiful than a thousand rising suns. The pictures we see in the world are only a shadow of His magnificence. The Blessed Mother was next to Jesus; she was so beautiful and radiant. None of the images we see in this world can compare with her real beauty. Heaven is our real home, we are all created to reach heaven and enjoy God forever. Then, I came back to the world with my angel.
While my body was at the hospital, the doctor completed all examinations and I was pronounced dead. The cause of death was bleeding. My family was notified and since they were far away, the hospital staff decided to move my dead body to the morgue. Because the hospital did not have air conditioners they were concerned that the body would decompose quickly. As they were moving my dead body to the morgue, my soul came back to the body. I felt excruciating pain because of so many wounds and broken bones. I began to scream and the people became frightened and ran away screaming. One of them approached the doctor and said: “the dead body is screaming”. The doctor came to examine the body and found that I was alive. So he said: “Father is alive, it is a miracle, take him back to the hospital”.
Now, back at the hospital, they gave me blood transfusions and I was taken to surgery to repair the broken bones. They worked on my lower jaw, ribs, pelvic bone, wrists, and right leg. After two months, I was released from the hospital, but my orthopedic doctor said that I would never walk again. I then said to him: “ the Lord who gave me my life back and sent me back to the world will heal me”. Once at home we were all praying for a miracle. Still after a month at home and with the casts removed I was not able to move. But one day while praying I felt an extraordinary pain in my pelvic area. After a short while the pain disappeared completely and I heard a voice saying: “You are healed. Get up and walk”. I felt the peace and healing power on my body. I immediately got up and walked. I praised and thanked God for the miracle.
I reached my doctor with the news of my healing and he was amazed. He said: “your God is the true God. I must follow your God”. The doctor was Hindu and he asked me to teach him about our Church. After studying the faith, I baptized him and he became Catholic.
Following the message from my Guardian angel, I came to the United States on November 10, 1986 as a missionary Priest. First, I worked in the Diocese of Boise, Idaho from 1987 to 1989 and then became the Director of Prison Ministry in the Diocese of Orlando, Florida from 1989 to 1992.
In 1992, I came to the Diocese of St. Augustine where I was first assigned to St. Matthew's Parish in Jacksonville for two years. I was then appointed Parochial Vicar of Assumption Church from 1994 to 1999. In 1997 I was incardinated as a permanent member of the Diocese. Since June 1999, I have been pastor of St. Mary's Mother of Mercy Catholic Church in Macclenny, Florida. I also serve as the Catholic Chaplain for Florida State Prison in Starke, Union Correctional Institution in Raiford and Northeast Florida State Hospital in Macclenny. I am also the Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary.
On the first Saturday of each month I conduct a Eucharistic and charismatic-healing ministry in my Parish, St. Mary Mother of Mercy. People come from all over the diocese, many parts of Florida and even from out of the state. I have been invited to conduct the healing ministry in other major cities of the United States including: New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, San Jose, Dallas, Chicago, Birmingham, Denver, Boise, Idaho Falls, Hawaii, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Poolsville; and many other cities of our country. I also conducted healing ministries in: Ireland, Spain, Czech Republic, India, France, Portugal, Yugoslavia, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Cayman Islands and many other countries.
Through this Eucharistic-healing ministry I have seen many people healed physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. People with various illnesses such as: cancer, AIDs, arthritis, heart conditions, eye problems, emphysema, asthma, back pains, bad hearing and many other illnesses have been healed completely. There are many miracles such as childless couples who have been married many years being blessed by God and having children. Many babies in the womb diagnosed with Downs Syndrome and that the doctors recommended abortions after attending Healing Mass God blessed the child and they were born beautiful healthy babies. Several people who had been out of jobs for years were able to find employment through the blessing of God.
In addition, several times during the year I conduct a special healing service for the healing of the family tree, in which the effects from ancestral sins are blocked and the person receives complete healing. Scripture says that the effects from family sins can linger around for three to five generations (Exodus Chapter 34 verse 7). So, in many cases we need generational healing. Doctors and medicines do not help to heal certain sicknesses caused by our family tree During the Healing ministry, many people are slain in the spirit before the Blessed Sacrament and some experience renewal of the soul and healing of the body.
I have received many questions about my Guardian Angel. It is difficult for me to describe how beautiful my Guardian angel is. He is radiant and bright. He is my constant companion and helps me in all my ministries, especially my healing ministry. I experience his presence everywhere I go and I am grateful for his protection in my daily life.
We are all sinners and need to turn to Our Lord and Savior for his foregiveness. His mercy is deeper than the deepest sea.
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11-01-2010 @ 8:23PM
Alicia said...*rolls eyes* Of course the angry, ignorant and hateful are the first to comment. Please, it's honestly none of your business what people do in the bedroom. They're no different from straight people except for their choice in partners. Gay and lesbian couples make jut as good parents as straight couples. As long as there is love and communication in the home the children will be fine. Gay and lesbian couples are just as prepared to provide both as straight couples.
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12-14-2010 @ 9:12PM
Jim said...I wonder if the study took into account that children raised by same-sex couples are dramatically more likely to have been adopted, and therefore to have suffered early-childhood trauma (also a strong determining factor in poor academic performance). If not, children of same-sex couples may actually be performing *better* than similarly situated peers placed with heterosexual couples.
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