The Pros and Cons of Gay Adoption in Oklahoma
If you’re a woman or girl facing an unplanned pregnancy, adoption is an option for you and your baby. As a birth mother, you’ll get to choose your child’s adoptive family. Adoption agencies like Adoption Choices of Oklahoma can help you find a suitable adoptive family. Different people seek to become parents through adoption: young and old, black and white, gay and straight. Gay adoption has become more common in the past few decades. This has increased the pool of potential adoptive families. Birth mothers have more options (more families to choose from), and children have more opportunities. Adoption Choices of Oklahoma supports gay adoption and can introduce you to an LGBTQ+ adoptive family if you’re interested. There’s a lot to consider when choosing an adoptive family. As a birth mother, you want what’s best for your child. As someone considering gay adoption, you may be wondering how such a decision may affect your child as he or she grows up. Here are some of the pros and cons of the gay adoption process.
The Pros of LGBTQ+ Adoption
- Exposure to Those Who are Different
If an LGBTQ+ adoptive family raises your child, he or she will learn about diversity at a young age. Being surrounded by those who are different will help him or her understand the importance of kindness and acceptance. He or she will learn that being different isn’t a bad thing, that people who are different can be very good. Your child will learn to respect others despite differences (or because of them).
- Raised in a Loving Home
Adoption allows you to give your child a happy life and a sustainable future. It allows aspiring parents to create strong, loving families when it wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Gay adoption is no different.
The LGBTQ+ community is filled with kind, loving people. Gays and lesbians can provide the same amount of care straight people can provide. An LGBTQ+ adoptive family can give your child a nice home, a good education, and a happy childhood.
The Cons of LGBTQ+ Adoption
- Potential Discrimination in the Future
While things have improved significantly over the years, gays and lesbians can still face discrimination when they’re out in public.If an LGBTQ+ couple or individual raises your child, there’s a chance he or she will also face discrimination. This discrimination may come in the form of bullying or harassment. Classmates may not understand or accept your child’s family. Strangers, and other adults, might make assumptions about your child and his/her adoptive family.
- Missing a Parent
If your child is adopted by a gay or lesbian couple, he or she will lack a mother or a father. Many people grow up without a mother or a father (some people are raised by single parents). While there is nothing wrong with growing up without a mother or a father, there’s a chance your child will feel like he or she is missing out.
If your child is raised by two gay men, he/she won’t be able to participate in Mother’s Day the way other children do. If he/she is raised by two women, he/she won’t be about to participate in Father’s Day the way other children do. Your child may feel like he or she is missing a parent.
If your child is a boy raised by two women, he may feel like he can’t relate to either parent. If your child is a girl raised by two men, she may also feel like she can’t relate to either parent.
Gay Adoption in Oklahoma
A gay adoption is a wonderful option, but it’s not for everyone. You’ll have to decide what you want for your child. You’ll have to decide what’s most important to you. Take some time to consider the pros and cons of gay adoption.
If you have any additional questions about gay adoption, Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is here for you. We’ll support you regardless of which adoptive family you choose. Remember that there are a plethora of families to choose from. If you decide to choose an LGBTQ+ adoptive family, good for you. If you would prefer a heterosexual family, that’s fine too.
Adoption Choices of Oklahoma is a private adoption agency, licensed by the state of Oklahoma and a leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive families in Oklahoma for over 19 years. Our staff members are committed to providing an ethical, empowering, and personalized adoption experience to all involved in the adoption process. If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
Toll-free: 800-898-6028 | OKC Local: 405-755-1999 | Tulsa Local: 918-447-7777 | Text: 405-310-8790 | Email
Meet the Author: Heather Valenzano is an up-and-coming content creator with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. After graduating from Iona College in 2019, she got an internship – and then a part-time job – writing blogs and managing social media accounts for Hip New Jersey, a lifestyle website owned by Long Shot Productions. She has also produced website and social media content for CommonPage, an external collaboration platform.
When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys watching crime shows like Forensic Files or posting book reviews to OnlineBookClub.org under the username “LavenderLiterature2.”