Studies show that children growing up in the same sex homes do not necessarily have differences in self-esteem, gender identity, or emotional problems from children growing up in heterosexual homes. Between one million and six million children in the U.S. alone are being cared by homosexual couples. Children were either born into a heterosexual home at first and one partner was hiding their gay identity, they were either adopted by gay parents or conceived through artificial insemination. Never the less, studies show that children of the same sex families do just as well or even better as children raised in a heterosexual family. “Researchers looked at information from 15 studies on more than 500 children, evaluating possible stigma, teasing and social isolation, adjustment and self-esteem, opposite gender role models, and strengths.” (web MD)“Studies from 1981 to 1994, including 260 children raised by either heterosexual mothers or same-sex mothers after divorce, found no differences in intelligence, type or prevalence of psychiatric disorders, self-esteem, well-being, couple relationships, or parental stress.” Some studies showed that single heterosexual parents' children have more difficulties than children who have parents of the same sex," Perrin says. "They did better in discipline, self-esteem, and had less psychosocial difficulties at home and at school.” Another study of 37 children of 27 divorced lesbian mothers and a similar number of children of heterosexual mothers found no differences in behavior, adjustment, gender identity, and peer relationships.” (Web MD) Two other large studies involving more than 100 couples found that same-sex parents also had contact with extended family, had social support, and had a more equitable division of labor in the home. Same sex couples share household responsibilities and chores more equitably, and the children of lesbian couples are less aggressive, more nurturing to peers, more tolerant of diversity, and more inclined to play with both boy's and girl's toys. Children seem to adjust better when there is a more equal division of labor in the home and the parental relationship with the children had a higher rating.
Sometimes people are concerned that children being raised by a gay parent will need extra emotional support or face unique social stressors. Current research shows that children with gay and lesbian parents do not differ from children with heterosexual parents in their