A New American Family? Public Opinion toward Family Status and Perceptions of the Challenges Faced by Children of Same-Sex Parents

Abstract

The present study brings together current thinking on public opinion toward varied family arrangements and perceptions of the challenges faced by children of same-sex parents with recent scholarship from the fields of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT)/family studies in an effort to better contextualize the general population's orientation toward varied household types. Specifically, the research focuses on understanding what factors influence public perceptions of varied family compositions and the implications of these dynamics for those engaged in the practice of family therapy and policy making. Analyzing data from the Pew Research Center's October 2010 Changing American Family Survey, the results suggest that demographics, predispositions, and importantly, views on the state and purpose of marriage, explain the greatest amount of variation in opinions. Furthermore, despite more liberal orientations toward marriage and family, Americans still feel that the children of gay and lesbian couples face more challenges on average than children from other types of family arrangements. The study concludes with a discussion of key findings and implications for policy and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• public opinion
• marriage
• family
• same-sex marriage
• parenting
• therapy