AAP Releases Statement in Support of Gay Marriage

Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement supporting marriage for same-sex couples. In the statement, the AAP states their stance that marriage, regardless of sexual orientation, is the best way to guarantee benefits and security for children. The AAP also supports full adoption and foster care rights for all parents, regardless of their orientation.

In the policy statement, the AAP reiterates their belief that children thrive best in stable families that provide permanent security, and that the way to do that is through marriage. They believe every couple should have equal opportunity to access the stability that a marriage provides economically, and have access to the federal supports offered the married couples to help them raise their children. 

Since 2002, the AAP has supported second-parent adoption by partners of the same sex.This new policy statement adds in support of civil marriage for same-gender couples; adoption by single parents, co-parents or second parents regardless of sexual orientation; and foster care placement regardless of sexual orientation.

To read more, click here.

With all the controversy surrounding the same-sex marriage debate, I think it's great that the AAP released a firm stance on the issue. I agree that the focus should be on children, and as the policy says, most research shows that there is no cause-and-effect relationship between a parent's sexual orientation and a child's well-being. Bravo to the AAP for recognizing that most children thrive in a household where the parents have a commitment to shared parenting, and strong social and economic support, not whether or not the parents are straight, gay, lesbian, etc.

What are your thoughts on the AAP's stance on gay marriage?

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