National University

Sampaloc, Manila
College of Education, Arts and Sciences
and Communications Department

Academic Writing No. 1

(Article Review)

Surnames:

Date: December 6, 2014

Aquino, Danica
Albios, Valerie
Altamira, Jan Eric
Ancheta, Febe Ann
Aumentado, Kio

Group No.: 1
Score:
Rating:

Section: INF141
Professor: Prof. Recuardo G. Lacsamana

Outline for Article Review

I.

Title: The Study on Gay and Lesbian Parenting As Good Ones

II.

Full Bibliographic Reference:

Author: Siegel, Benjamin and Ellen Perrin. (School of Medicine Professors of Pediatrics)
Date: April 04, 2013.
Site: http://www.bu.edu/today/2013/gay-parents-as-good-as-straight-ones/

III.

Introduction:
Parenting is a difficult obligation for everyone and it is a life-long responsibility.
But, in many studies of the experts, they realized a lot of ways on how to become a good
parent. And for Siegel and Perrin, one of its ways that could affect a person as a parent, is
about his/her gender. And when we talk about gender, it is not always referring to men or
women, but basically, it is also dealing to LGBT people or in other words, they are what we
call lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender. These are the people who can also be a
parent of one or more children whom raised by same-sex couples, single LGBT parents or
opposite-sex couples where at least one partner is LGBT.
According to the studies made by Siegel and Perrin, most of the behaviors of
child are due to the influenced of their interconnection or relationship with their parents.
Some concerns of children, usually depend on the competence, social and economic support
and the assurance of being safe most of the time instead of looking over to the gender or
sexual orientation of them. It was also stated that gay and lesbian parents have the ability to
raise their children through giving them a better understanding and knowledge on social
studies and attitude, a high level of competence and better learning on school academics and
lastly few social problems.
And the best study so far is that Siegel tells BU Today (website page) that the
National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study (NLLFS) which was begun in 1980s has been
following and announcing the planned of 154 lesbian mothers and recently checked the 78
adolescent children, and make a comparison to the mothers and kids self-supported status
against national standardized samples.

IV.

Brief Summary:

Research stated that gays and lesbian are more likely to adopt a child as long as
they could able to provide them the basic needs and affection needed especially for minors.
They nurture to be more motivated and more committed and have the right to raise a child.

V.

Results:
After a long and thorough study, Siegel and Perrin acknowledge these:
A. Childs benefit of LGBT Parenting
1. A psychologically healthy mind.
2. A healthy life-style.
3. Security
4. Improved well-being
5. Greater success at school, work, and in relationships
6. Love and affection from parents
B. Possible problems encountered by Child
1. Internalizing problems (depression, trauma) because of getting bullied for the kind of
family she/he has in some cases.
2. Might get confused about the gender of his/her parents while still young.
3. They may long for the affection given by true parents.
Studies about gay parenting are necessarily small, since there are not so many
gay parents, however in United States, research estimated that gay couples and single
parents are raising almost 2 million children.

VI.

Analysis:
The article attempts to show Siegels opinion that much of the scientific research
today shows no negative effect of children raised by gay parent(s). This research also
implies that everyone has the right to raise a child and they could even become better
parents rather than of those heterosexual parents. The great thing about same-sex
parents is that you know they truly want to have children and have thoroughly thought
about the commitment it takes to raise them. Lastly, according to the study, they can
provide the parent-like affection to the children and also their children didnt bother about
the gender of their parents as long as they could provide them the needs they want.

VII.

Concept:
-

Self-parenting

LGBT-parenting

VIII.

Gay-parenting

Overall Critic of the Paper and the Author/s:

A. Critic for the Paper
1. Makes us aware and mature enough to understand a situation like this.
2. Shows us that the gender is not the basis of being a so-called parent.
3. Shows the value of being a parent not just by physical but also through emotional
matters.
4. Clearly describes how LGBT people could able to be a good guardian to their
children.
5. But the paper presented just a few details and sources only.
6. Lacks of readers attraction because the topic is not so catchy.
B. Critic for the Authors
1. Could give a reasonable explanation about LGBT parenting.
2. Can bring us to the world of LGBT families.
3. But they didnt assess if this research has lapses or consequences regarding to the
reputation of LGBT families.
4. They didnt organize better the paragraphs in an inverted pyramid structure.

IX.

Issues:
A. For the Child
1. Might had a trouble thoughts to the gender of the parents
2. Cannot avoid the circumstances like bullying
3. Can have a major problem in mental and emotional aspects
B. For the Residency
1. The research was being done in America.
2. It might not be applicable in other countries like in Philippines.
C. For the Church
1. The topic may lead to an argument between the state and the church.
2. Churches point of view doesnt support same sex couples.
3. It could takes long and delegate agenda regarding to this.

X.

Relevance:
This research opens up the mind of those people who are currently undergo this
kind of issue and for some other people who doesnt have an idea about it. This research
proves to everyone that having gay parents is not bad at all. Thus, it actually helps those
homeless children to have a new home and the feeling of being protected and cared by
someone who is willing to give unconditional love to them which they failed to feel from their
parents before. We can also distinguish if the LGBT parent affects the growth and behavior of
their children by reading and understanding the contents of this research.

Appendices:
(Site)https://www.nllfs.org/about/
US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study
(Site) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_parenting
(Book) Lesbian and Gay Fostering and Adoption: Extraordinary yet Ordinary by Stephen
Hicks and Janet McDermott
(Book) The Lesbian Parenting Book: A Guide to Creating Families and Raising Children by D.
Merilee Clunis and G. Dorsey Green
(Online Article) Children of same-sex parents are healthier, families closer than straightparent families: study