Sociology

One of the major foundations on which the American nation was built is the principle of liberty. The drafters of the American constitution had the vision of a country where anyone can be whoever he or she wants to be as long as it does not infringe on the expression of liberty of another person. America was to be God’s own country – a country that knows no disparity, where all men are born equal and enjoy equal privilege. It was to serve as a habitation for the common man, where he can be seen as a human and nothing more.

Although the American nation appears to give priority to individual liberty, there is a division on some aspects gay rights. There is a division in the public opinion about gay ‘rights’ or if gays actually deserve to have rights. Conservatives believe that the notion of gay is an aberration to the traditional family system in the society and as such should not be condoned. According to this set of people, gays do not have rights but should be considered as part of the groups in the society that needs help and rehabilitation. However, with the activism of civil rights advocates through human rights campaign and other advocacy media, the discrimination on gays has reduced in America. This, nonetheless, does not mean that these issues are totally forgotten.
Unlike other issues that are explicitly defined, the issue of gay or same sex adoption in America is not clearly spelt out (Gandossy, 2007). According to the article titled “Gay adoption: A new take on the American Family”, Taylor Gandossy pointed out that although the process of adopting a child or being foster parents by heterosexual couples is a rigorous one, it becomes more complicated for gays, lesbians and same sex parents. According to him, several states in America do not have a specific law that either restricts or permits gays, lesbians or same sex parents to adopt a child or become foster parents. Consequently, gays and same sex parents who are interested in adopting a child are left to the mercy and discretion of judges in these states.

While twelve states including Washington D.C have laws that “either implicitly or explicitly state that sexual orientation cannot legally prevent gay and lesbians from adopting, three states have laws denying gays and lesbians the right to adopt or take in foster children” (Gandossy, 2007).  In the state of Mississippi and Utah, same sex parents are directly restricted from adopting. According to Gandossy, “Florida is currently the only state that specifically bans "homosexual" individuals from adopting, although the state does allow them to be foster parents.” (Gandossy, 2007) This leaves same sex parents in the remaining 36 states in America who either want to adopt or become foster parents at the discretion of Judges and adoption or foster agencies.
At this junction, a big question is posed – should same sex parents be allowed to either adopt a child or become foster parents of a child?  According to The American Civil Liberties Union, the major argument raised by opponents of same sex adoption is that gays, lesbians and same sex parent lack what it takes to nurture a child and as such are not qualified to adopt a child. This has however been faulted by medical research and observation. From several researches carried out by different agencies across the world, it has been discovered that same sex parents can actually be good parents as it takes love, affection and the financial wherewithal to take care of a child. ALCU argues that same sex parents are capable of possessing such qualities that are necessary to nurture a child like stability in a relationship, financial resources and devotion to the child.

Summarily, what matters most is the interest of the child that is to be adopted.  Every child deserves to be brought up with love and care. Thus, my point is this – if this can be given by same sex parents, it will be a wrong move to deny a child from enjoying this. Apart from this, it should be pointed out that morals, although important, should not be the only yardstick of deciding what should become law in our society.