Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Adoption Rule Reversal Sparks Mixed Reaction

Gov. Pete Wilson recently overturned a state Department of Social Services policy directive seeking to make it easier for unmarried and homosexual couples to adopt children.

In a letter to California counties in December, the department stated that “effective immediately” state-licensed adoption agencies would no longer deny applications or petitions based solely on the marital status of the prospective parents.

Concerning gay and lesbian applicants, the letter left social workers with the flexibility of considering application merits within the context of what they saw as “the best interests of the child.”

Noting that this new directive was never approved by any state government official, Wilson rescinded the department’s letter and, instead, reinstated a 1987 policy that favors granting adoptions to “couples who have formalized their relationship through a legal marriage.”

Because the state’s judges have the final say in adoption matters, the governor’s action will not immediately prevent homosexuals, unmarried couples and single parents from adopting children.

Gay activists complain that reinstating the old policy portrays unhealthy stereotypes as valid. The old policy views homosexuality as immoral and unhealthy, they say, which is counteractive to accepting gays and lesbians as equally capable of providing a nurturing environment for a child.

Supporters of Wilson’s policy say that children need both a male and female figure living in the household.

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Should the state make it easier for homosexuals, unmarried couples and single parents to adopt children?

Dr. Dee Shepherd-Look, Cal State Northridge professor of psychology

“There is plenty of data showing that children of gay parents do not become homosexuals in any greater number than does the population at random. A child needs both a male and female figure around when growing up, but it doesn’t have to be a parent living in the same home. The most difficult thing adolescent children of gay and lesbian parents have to deal with is the reaction from their peers. If the parents can teach their children to view homosexuality in a natural light, they can relay that attitude to their friends. (Otherwise,) they may be ashamed of the situation and fake that their parents are heterosexual.”

Sara Hardman, chairwoman of the Christian Coalition

“The Christian perspective is that gay and lesbian behavior is immoral. Children should not be raised in an immoral family. How are unmarried parents living without the benefit of marriage going to teach their children not to be sexually promiscuous? Our country has gotten to a point where morals don’t make a difference. Having unmarried couples raising children is a sign of the times we’ve reached.

Kay Ostberg, deputy director, Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center

“Since homosexual couples will not have a child by accident, there is a lot more planning involved in the decision to have a kid. Gay and lesbian parents tend to be more nurturing and responsive to their adoptive children. The Department of Social Services changed its policy because they looked at homosexual families and their kids and saw that they were solid households. The idea that you have to be a married man and woman to be good parents is just not sensible.”

David Ballard, executive director, Holy Family Services adoption agency

“We provide ‘open adoptions,’ where the birth mothers come to us and choose who their child will be raised by. Many of our mothers look to place their children with what (appears) to be established couples. But many single women have been selected as well. The main concern, then, is whether the applicant will be a good parent or not. Marital status is but one factor to consider among many.”