How We View Marriage in the past? How Do We view Marriage Now?

Our lives are surrounded by the relationships we build with families. These relationships shape us individually through the personality and views of our families. Most relationships build us up and teach us how to live and prosper in this life.  

As a child, I remember my parents teaching me about the first family. What difference does this make, you might be asking? Well, It teaches us the foundations of the family. Families have been a part of the world since the creation of Adam and Eve. That is a very long time. Marriage was introduced by God. In the Old Testament, genesis 3:20 states, “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.” In the scriptures, it mentions multiple time that a marriage is ordained of God. It is a relationship ‘central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

For centuries, marriage was universally understood as a union between a man and a woman. However, in recent times, this view has been challenged by changing social norms and political decisions. Last week, me and my class assessed the research that changed the world. This research changed everything.

The American Psychological Association (APA) issued an official brief on Lesbian and Gay Parenting in 2005 which included the assertion: “Not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents.” As a result, there was a decision made that changed the whole world’s view on marriage. Why should you care? Well, this is an important matter for all of us and we all deserve to know the truth. I invite you to learn with me and investigate this situation. A Professor at Louisiana State University's Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences assessed this research and found misleading information and published an article that led to this decision. This brief examines the validity of the research upon which the APA brief was based and is sure to surprise most of its readers. How can I access his research? The article published is titled, "Same-Sex Parenting and Children's Outcomes: A Closer Examination of the American Psychological Association's Brief on Lesbian and Gay Parenting." Look it up on the internet. Here is a link if you can’t find it: Same-sex parenting and children’s outcomes: A closer examination of the American Psychological Association’s brief on lesbian and gay parenting (byu.edu)

Remember the statement made by the APA, “Not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents.” Well Marks found that the APA's statement was misleading because there was no comparison made between children of heterosexual parents and those of homosexual parents. In other words, the APA did not conduct research on the effect on children raised by heterosexual and homosexual parents.

Another misleading data done by the APA is it was a handful sample. The sample taken by the APA for same-sex parents was small and did not represent the majority of the population of whom are LGBTQ. In addition, the APA sampled LGBTQ individuals who were above the average income generating families, which in short, didn't include the majority of homosexual parents. Furthermore, the APA did not show the effects of children raised by same-sex parents because they did not research on children but focused more on the parents.

It is important to understand the implications of this research, as it has significant implications for same-sex parenting and the well-being of children. We all deserve to know the truth about this matter, and I invite you to investigate this matter with me.