For my social work research paper, we were given the assignment to research a topic that was relevant to issues faced by social workers today. I was challenged by a close friend who holds a more liberal point of view on the following topic to defend my views with solid research. I was limited to 8 pages in this assignment so the following paper only covers the highlights of the depth of very well-documented research I scoured through. Sorry, I can't figure out how to indent paragraphs on a blog entry so I hope its not too hard to read.
In Defense of Traditional Marriage
“We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. . . . We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife” (The First Presidency & Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 1995, ¶ 1, 2, 4).
This bold doctrine declared by then prophet Gordon B. Hinckley twelve years ago is once again at the very center of an ignited controversy in America. In this election year, proponents of redefining marriage to include same-sex marriage have clashed with advocates of traditional marriage between one man and one woman sparking an intense debate between both sides that may likely soon alter the way in which marriage has been traditionally viewed throughout mainstream world history. Authors O. William Farley, Larry Lorenzo Smith and Scott W. Boyle state in the text Introduction to Social Work that “although the modern family is changing and many new forms of marital and family living have appeared, the family is still the basic institution in society and, as such, is a focal factor in social work” (2009, p. 7). Examination of the research literature is important to the field of social work in order to address these emerging issues in a manner that is beneficial for individuals and families. It is equally important as covenant and committed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints engaged in the field of social work, to balance the current social science research literature with the doctrines of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Laura Haynes, a psychologist in Tustin, California, succinctly reviews the claims for many individuals who are proponents of same-sex marriages.
· Homosexuality is largely genetically determined.
· Homosexual relationships are essentially the same as heterosexual relationships except for the gender of the partners.
· Homosexual parenting and heterosexual parenting are no different in their effects on children.
· Homosexual marriage will decrease stigma and thereby increase mental health in our society.
(Haynes, 2008, p. 1)
Each of these statements examined in the light of social science research as well as faith-based values and doctrines reveal impressive and divergent points of view. Due to limited space, I will discuss the first three of these claims.
Homosexuality is largely genetically determined. The American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the National Association for Social Workers, and the California Psychological Association in their Amicus Brief to the California Supreme Court in re. of marriage, 2007, p. 33, officially assert the position that there is no “consensus” regarding genetically determined homosexuality (Haynes, 2008, p. 6). A well-respected study by the National Health and Social Life Survey (NHSLS) has also determined that “social attitudes appear not only to allow homosexuality to develop, but to elicit it.” It has been validated and documented that “adult homosexuals tend to migrate toward more urban areas.” This coupled with additional findings in the research that “males who lived in urban as opposed to rural areas at the ages of 14 and 16 were more likely to become homosexual” (Laumann et al., 1994 as cited in Haynes, 2008,. p. 6) correlates with several large and well-designed studies encompassing several ethnicities and civilizations which conclude “that growing up in an urban area is associated with more homosexuality” (Laumann et al., 1994, p308-309, a large study in the U.S.; Frisch and Hviid, 2006, a study of 2 million Danes as cited in Haynes, 2008, p. 6). Additional research findings support the fact that families headed by same-sex parents show an increase in homosexual tendencies (Green et al, 1986; Bailey, et al, 1995, Tasker and Golombok, 1995; Lerner and Nagai, 2001, p. 60 as cited in Haynes, 2008, pp. 6-7). Therefore, although there may be some individuals with genetic tendencies towards same-sex attraction, there is definite and well-respected research that reveals same-sex attraction with environmentally and socially based underpinnings.
Homosexual relationships are essentially the same as heterosexual relationships except for the gender of the partners. Many factors can be evaluated with respect to potential success in relationships whether the relationship or union is between one man and one woman or between same-sex couples. The research is overwhelmingly clear that the challenges are higher for success in same gender relationships regardless of whether they are in a society that supports or rejects this type of union. One large and notable study performed in the Netherlands, a highly open-minded and supportive country for gay marriages, revealed significantly higher incidences of mental health issues of all kinds among gays and lesbians. This study included 7000 individuals in which 2.8% of the men and 1.4% of the women were of homosexual orientation. Results demonstrated a lifetime prevalence of two or more psychiatric disorders in 37.85% of the men and 39.5% of the women who were actively involved in homosexual activities versus 14.4% and 21.3% of heterosexual men and women respectively (Standfort et al. as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 209). Bradford and Rothblum (1994) found in their study of 2000 lesbians that 75% suffered from long term depression and had sought out psychological treatment. More than half of these individuals “felt too nervous to accomplish ordinary activities at some time during the past year (as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 211). Suicidal tendency is another area of grave concern. In a study of 927 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students 62.1% lesbian women and 58.2 gay men were noted to have suicidal tendencies and of these, approximately one-half actually attempted suicide (Healthwatch as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 209). Several highly respected studies both in and outside of the United States including gay friendly areas such as San Francisco and New Zealand note suicidal tendencies in the 40th percentile for both genders, ruling out societal stigmatization as a primary cause (Jay and Young, 1979; Bell and Weinberg, 1978, p. 450; Fergusson, 1999; Herrell, 1999; Bailey, 1999, Sagher and Robins, 1973 as cited in Haynes, 2008, p. 5).
Domestic violence was studied in a group of 283 homosexual individuals. It was noted that 47.5% of lesbians and 29.7% of gay men were the victims of violence by a homosexual partner (Waldner-Haugrud et al., 1997 as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 210) which is close to double the amount in heterosexual couples (Island and Letellier, 1991 as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 211).
Medical problems are common in gay male sexual relationships which predispose them to bleeding, sexually transmitted diseases and death. Mortality rates in gay men from these challenges are from 8 to 20 years higher than heterosexual men (“Ten Things Gay Men Should Discuss with Their Health Care Providers” from the Gay Lesbian Medical Association website; Dean, et al, 2000 as cited in Haynes, 2008, p. 5). High levels of drug use and drug dependency are a significant problem among gays and lesbians as well ((Standfort et al. as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 209).
Most concerning is the prevalence of sexual promiscuity. It was found in an extensive study on sexual fidelity that 60% of homosexual men involved in a committed relationship were unfaithful in the first year and this number rocketed to 90% if the relationship was intact after 5 years. However, only 15% of gay men and 17.3% of lesbians stayed in relationships for more than 3 years (Michael et al., 1994 as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 214). Another study done in 1984 by two men who are a homosexual couple (one a psychiatrist and one a psychologist) was initiated to study “long-term homosexual coupling.” The original intent was to prove that homosexual relationships can and do last. One hundred fifty-six male homosexual couples were studied who had been in relationships from 1 to 37 years; however, only 7 couples were found to be faithful and these had only been together for 5 years. Therefore, there were no male couples that had been faithful to each other beyond the five year mark. “The expectation for outside sexual activity was the rule for male couples and the exception for heterosexual couples. Heterosexual couples lived with some expectation that their relationships were to last “until death do us part,” whereas gay couples typically wondered if their relationships would survive” (McWhirter & Mattison, 1984 as cited in Cox, 2007. P. 214-5).
Homosexual parenting and heterosexual parenting are no different in their effects on children. Although the governing body of the American Psychological Association issued an endorsement for gay and lesbian parenting in 2004 which states: “Research has shown that the adjustment, development, and psychological well-being of children is unrelated to parental sexual orientation and that children of lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to flourish” (APA as cited in Patterson, 2006, p. 243), the social science research I found does not support that homosexual parenting and heterosexual parenting are no different in their effects on children. Of significant note, there have been several well-respected researchers, including pro-gay researchers, who have found “serious methodological flaws” in 49 of the studies performed on homosexual parenting that support the effectiveness of homosexual parents. It is their opinion that “no generalizations can be drawn from them” (Patterson, 2000, 2004; Schumm, 2004; Lerner and Nagai, 2001; Nock, 2001, Fitzgerald, 1999; Sears, 1994; and Reders and Kilgus, 2002 as cited in Haynes, 2008, p. 7) and “they are rendered essentially unusable from a scientific perspective” (Cox, 2007, p. 205). Mooney-Somers and Golombok (2000) note that outside of Brewaeys et al.’s (1995) research which focused on children born via artificial insemination to lesbian mothers, that the studies thus far have only been drawn from volunteer samples which may under-represent the struggles children experience in same-sex union homes (p. 124). Downplaying the connections between child outcomes and same-sex parenting, Patterson (2006) notes that this is not as vital as the quality of family relationships
(p. 243). Schumm (2005) notes, however, that this “research continues to be trusted to provide serious answers. It is quite remarkable how many authors note the limitations quite fairly and then ignore those weaknesses in order to draw relatively firm conclusions” (as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 205). Data from these studies was reanalyzed and the differences were found to be significant in areas of self-esteem in the children of same sex couples versus heterosexual couples (Williams, 2000, as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 205) as well as social and emotional difficulties (Lewis, 1992, as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 205-6).
Patterson in her review of studies of the children of lesbian and gay parents asked the question: “Does parental sexual orientation affect child development, and if so, how?” She concluded after two decades, that the research “failed to reveal important differences” (Patterson, 2006, p. 241). Another study performed by Judith Stacey and Timothy Biblarz (2001) reached the same conclusion in spite of several findings in their research regarding children playing and behaving in nontraditional gender conforming manners, participating in homosexual behaviors (6 of 25 versus none of 20 in heterosexual families), and differences in sexual promiscuity as compared to the findings of heterosexual families (as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 206). Cox (2007) asks the question “How healthy is rejection of gender roles?” Advocates of homosexuality agree that “gender nonconformity in childhood may be the single common observable factor associated with homosexuality” (Rekers and Hamer as cited in Cox, p. 206). Cox goes on to summarize the warning signs for raising children in homosexual unions by noting several of the things I have already covered in this paper including mental health issues, medical issues, increased domestic violence, infidelity and instability in the length of same sex relationships.
With respect to adoption, the gold standard in America is “the best interest of the child . . . . to be reared in a family setting with parents whose health and life-style are likely to ensure appropriate care and guidance until the child reaches adulthood” (Cox, 2007, p. 207). When a change this significant is proposed against hundreds and thousands of years of heterosexual parenting, the burden of proof should lie in extensive and lengthy studies involving all ages of children and adults raised by homosexual parents. To-date, this has not even begun to scratch the surface. This begs the question as to where we place our enabling compassion. Haynes (2008) asks “Is it good for children to be placed at higher risk of growing up with such conditions and behaviors in their parents? Does it improve mental health to tell society that these kinds of relationships are equal, approved, or healthy? Is it a social good to bring relationships with these qualities at higher rates into the mainstream of society” (p. 8)? Long-term effects on children have not yet been examined (Mooney-Somers and Golombok, 2000, p. 122) and Patterson (2006) admits the need more study including those on adoption, children born to gay fathers as well as a greater understanding of family relationships and transitions over time, the need more longitudinal studies, and the use of a variety of methodologies (p. 243). Unsettling to me is an observation by Cox (2007) that the best interests of children may be usurped by the civil rights claims of same-sex couples (p. 204). I agree with Haynes (2008) that “research has not made the case that same sex lifestyle and relationships are as healthy for adults and young people or as healthy for raising children (p. 7).
The role of religious conviction with respect to same-sex marriage. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1978) spoke of days to come when “religious convictions are heavily discounted.” He quotes M. J. Sobran who observed, "A religious conviction is now a second-class conviction, expected to step deferentially to the back of the secular bus, and not to get uppity about it" (Human Life Review, Summer 1978, p. 58 as cited in Maxwell, ¶ 10). “This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain of people's opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. If we let come into being a secular church shorn of traditional and divine values, where shall we go for inspiration in the crises of tomorrow” (¶ 14)?
Religion to me provides the balance in a godless society, not by way of force but of invitation as I stand for doctrines and principles that are true and eternal; doctrines that the Savior gave His life for in behalf of every son or daughter of God, regardless of their stated sexual tendencies. Prophetic warnings in The Family: A Proclamation to the World state “the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets” (The First Presidency & Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 1995, ¶ 9). I trust the watchman on the tower. Harvard sociologist Pitirim A. Sorokin (1956) has also noted “that no society has ever ceased to honor the institution of marriage and survived” (as cited in Cox, 2007, p. 216).
Maxwell (1978) admonishes that “if people are not permitted to advocate, to assert, and to bring to bear, in every legitimate way, the opinions and views they hold that grow out of their religious convictions, what manner of men and women would they be, anyway” (¶ 13)? “Properly humbled and instructed concerning the great privileges that are ours, we can cope with what seem to be very dark days and difficult developments, because we will have a true perspective about "things as they really are," and we can see in them a great chance to contribute” (¶ 50).
Conclusion. In the text, Introduction to Social Work, it is noted that social work and social welfare are based on three premises: (1) that the person is important, (2) that he or she has personal, family, and community problems resulting from interaction with others; and (3) that something can be done to alleviate these problems and enrich the individual’s life” (2008, p. 2). I ponder often on the scripture "And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this"(Esther 4:14)? As a covenant daughter in Zion with added knowledge regarding traditional families versus same-sex unions, I hope to stand and do my part in the social work profession as I advocate for “the dignity and worth of [each] person” and “the importance of human relationships” (Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, 1999). In my efforts to promote the best interests of all I come in contact with regardless of our differences, I hope to give guidance to those who struggle in all ways.
Works Cited
Byrd, A. D. & Cox, S. E., (2007). Strict scrutiny of prospective adoptive parents: what children really need. In A. S. Loveless & T. B. Holman (Eds.), The family in the new millennium, (pp. 204-219). Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
Farley, O. W.; Smith, L. L.; Boyle, S. W. Introduction to Social Work, 11th Edition 2009, Pearson Education, Inc.
First Presidency and Council of Twelve Apostles (1995, November), The family: A proclamation to the world, Ensign, 25(11), 102.
Haynes, L. A. Homosexual marriage: A social science view. Address given 10/5/2008; retrieved on 11/28/08 at: http://www.journeychristianministries.org/CPA-SSA-marriage.pdf
Maxwell, Neal A. Meeting the challenges of today. Address given 10/10/1978; retrieved November 28, 2008, from http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6197.
Mooney-Somers, J. & Golombok, S. (2000), Children of lesbian mothers: from the 1970s to the new millennium. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 15(2), 121-126.
Patterson, C. J. (2006). Children of lesbian and gay parents. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(5), 241-244.
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