The right to parent

From a young age children are taught that everyone is different. That one child is not like any other. Different families, ways of living and nationalities are all among the differences that children encounter while growing up. The same holds true for the parents of these children. Each set of parents in society are unique individuals that provide their own distinctive values and outlooks on life as a resource for the family of which they are a part. It has become an American value to accept and embrace these diversities as the backbone of our society. It is the multitudes of different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles in America that distinguish our country and society. Each individual in America has the right, freedom, and in fact, the responsibility to represent their own cultural, religious, economic, and social status for the rest of the country and the world to see and hopefully better understand. This vast representation of diversities among America’s citizens is what makes American society unique, and the freedom as well as encouragement to do so is what makes this society the most liberated.
Why is it then, if our society is built on the principles of teaching and understanding diversity and indivi

ndividuality beginning with children at a young age, that a large number of citizens in this country desire to set boundaries for who can and can not effectively parent based on these very diversities? The state governments and the people who run them are weeding out large numbers of prospective adoptive parents based solely on issues of diversity. This surely is not due to a shortage of orphaned children who need homes. There are approximately 588,000 children in the foster care system in the United States today (http://cwla.org/programs/foster care/fact sheet.htm). 48,828 of those children will remain in foster care until they turn eighteen and are then considered to be adults. Another 17,608 of these children will be placed under legal guardianship, however they will never be legally adopted (http://cwla.org/programs/foster care/fact sheet.htm). Astoundingly, 105,084 others who are in foster care in the United States are classified as having their case plan goal not yet established (http://cwla.org/programs/foster care/fact sheet.htm). In other words, there are over 100,000 children in the United States that no one truly knows what will happen to until they reach the age of eighteen. With statistics like this present in society, one would imagine that the government would be thrilled to allow any caring adult with a steady income, a home, and the motivation to love and nurture one of these children to do so.

It really makes me angry that in the world we live in today that is supposed to be free opportunity for all, that two men that are the nicest and most wonderful parents are being denied that right to be a parent. No one has the right to say who is a good parent and who is not. The children growing up in these homes are the only one that can make that choice, they are the ones who know whether they are happy or not. Not some random authority figure who has something against someone he knows nothing about, except the fact that the couple is gay and not straight.

Raising children is a very delicate process. Everyone on both sides of the argument can agree with that, regardless of their sexual orientation. Children need to be nurtured, and provided for. It is essential that they be taught right from wrong, and that they have strong values and morals instilled in them at an early age. The question that seems to be providing the most trouble and controversy is, can and should a homosexual person or couple be trusted to do such an important and difficult job? Is it possible for homosexuals to properly raise children in society? That is a deeply personal and individual decision to make. However, before making that decision consider the number of children in this country without a home or a family one last time. There are approximately 588,000 children in the foster care system in the United States today. 48,828 of those children will remain in foster care until they turn eighteen and are then considered adults. Another 17,608 of these children will be placed under legal guardianship but will never be legally adopted. Astoundingly, 105,084 others who are in foster care in the United States are classified as having their case plan goal not yet established. In other words, there are over one hundred thousand children in the United States that no one truly knows what will happen to until they reach the age of eighteen.

There is no evidence to prove that homosexual homes are more harmful to children than heterosexual homes, the reasoning behind the laws, judicial findings, and opinions surrounding gay adoption are all personal beliefs driven by fear. Many individuals in society still have not come to attempt to understand and except homosexuality. There are many people who simply wish to ignore the homosexual population in the United States in the hopes that they will quietly fade away. The truth is, many people are uncomfortable with homosexuality, and therefore feel that it is immoral, or