UK: Public reject gay and single adoption

According to research, more than a third of people think gay couples and single people should not be allowed to adopt children.


The survey, taken by the association Action For Children, revealed that 87 per cent of those who disapprove of gay and single adoption believe that children need both male and female role models during their upbringing.

Further statistics reveal that 76 per cent of the people surveyed believe that gay and single
adoption would not be in the best interests of the child, leading to the breakdown of the traditional
family of hetrosexual parents.

Leading sociologist, Dr Porfido, contradicts this research, arguing that 'there is no evidence to justify these claims. Research demonstrates that gay couples have been found comparable to heterosexual couples.'

Porfido's current work on increasing the visibility of queer teenagers televisually, supports the idea that 'the role of media, especially public service, is very important' in raising the awareness of gay and single adoption
as a positive idea.

This seems a far-off target to reach, as the BBC continues to broadcast children's network with families composed of a father and a mother, not of gay couples or single parents.
As a result, it seems as though people are not exposed to the possibilitiy of these alternative adoptions, and hence become an 'expression of hostility', according to Dr Porfido.

Now, with the growing social acceptance of homosexuality, the acceptance of gay adoption needs to be adressed.

In response to this shocking research, it seems as if some University of Birmingham students are ready to express their disappointment.

A final year student, Bryony Thorpe, observed: 'This is the evidence of a strong social prejudice. It is what parents do that makes them good or bad, not their gender or their sexuality. Being part of a "traditional family" doesn't protect a child from neglect or abuse.'

Another student, Josh Lim, commented: 'So long as children are joining safe and loving families, anyone should be able to adopt.'

Since 2002, the Adoption and Children Act has stated that an application to adopt can be made by either a single person or a couple, whether married or not.

It is evident that this act of equal rights needs to be supported by the views of the public, to ensure the acceptance of gay and single adoption is a positive step nation-wide.

This article has been published in Redbrick.