Marriage equality advocates have welcomed a newly-reported parenting study showing children benefit from multiple parental attachments early in life and have warned against the study’s misuse to malign same-sex parenting.
“Social Science and Parenting Plans for Young Children: A consensus report”, authored by Professor Richard Warshak and signed by over 110 experts in the field, makes the case that children of separated heterosexual couples benefit from more contact with their fathers.
Australian Marriage Equality national director, Rodney Croome, said,
“This study is welcome because it shows that what children need are multiple emotional attachments, something same-sex couples can provide as well as heterosexual couples.”
“Professor Warshak’s findings encourage greater contact between a child and their non-primary carer, who in most cases involving separated heterosexual couples will just happen to be the father.”
“This should not be construed to mean fathers are essential for raising happy, well-adjusted children simply because of their gender.”
“Research that compares opposite and same-sex couple parenting clearly shows children fare just as well when raised by the latter.”
For a report on the Warshack study click here.
For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 68
Author: Rodney Croome
Publication: AME Media Release
Date: 30 April 2014