by Nancy Seddens

Created on: November 03, 2009   Last Updated: November 04, 2009

The question of whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt is usually argued in terms of discrimination or morality; however, neither of these are the real issue. Although none of us have the right to tell others how they should live their lives, we all have an obligation to do what is best for children who can not speak for themselves. Before going further, perhaps it would be best to divide proposed adoptions into the following three categories: infant adoption, non-infant or hard to place children, and children of one of the partners.

What is wrong with homosexual couples adopting infants? The same thing that is wrong with all single people and heterosexual couples past the natural child producing age adopting. As a single person, I understand the longing for a child that is felt by those who aren't in a position to produce one of their own; however, children are not here to fulfill our needs. The primary concern in an adoption has to be what is in the best interest of the child.

Children are born into all kinds of situations, many not ideal, but if a child is up for adoption there is the opportunity to put that child in the home that will best provide its needs. Typically, when a child is conceived it has two parents, one male and one female. Again, typically, the age of those parents fall within certain parameters. True, this is not always the case and those two may not always raise the child together but, if there is an option then I say give the adoptive child two parents, one of each. Give that child the best start in life, the start that most of its contemporaries will have. Life won't stay perfect for the kid, but at least he will have that start. Whether one believes that homosexuality is a psychological disorder, a life style decision or is an irrefutable part of an individual that was present before birth, the fact is that vast majority of children are going to be heterosexual and should be raised by the same.

Since any home that is stable and contains at least one loving responsible adult is better then no home or parent at all, it is reasonable that adoptions in those cases shouldn't be restricted to only heterosexual couples. Finally, there is no reason why, if all parties concerned agree, that partners of parents with children should not be allowed to adopt those children regardless of their sexual orientation. The important thing to be considered is this: what is in the best interest of the child.

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