Do children need two heterosexual parents to grow up into healthy adults?
The topic of how children should be raised is very divided with many believing that anything other than a mother and father raising children in a traditional family is simply wrong contrasted with those who think that type of family is valid but not the only way of succesfully caring for children. This essay will outline some opinions on both sides of the argument, outline what epistomology they stem from and explore which one provides a better argument.
Yes, children do need two parents
The strongest case that those who believe children need to be raised by a mother and father is that the two parenting styles that arise from the differences between males and females complement each other. Stanton (n.d.) believes that when children receive love and care from a mother and father they are deriving extra qualities that same-sex couples and single parents are incapable of. He goes on to state that interactions like play for example vary greatly between the sexes as men mostly play rough and tickle a lot, throw children in the air and chase them around in a scary manner. Whereas women are gentle and tend to be quieter when playing and when it comes to a child becoming hurt, they try to make sure they are fine and protect them from further pain (Stanton, n.d.).
One argument that also arises is that statistics show a smorgasboard of evidence that suggests heterosexual families are the ideal arena for healthy human development. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB, n.d.) believes that children raised in a traditional family are more likely to go to university, are physically and emotionally healthier, less likely to fall victim to abuse, less likely to use illicit drugs, alcohol and commit criminal offences, have a lower risk of divorcing when they get married, are less likely to cause/become pregant during adolescence and are less likely to be raised in poverty....