LOS ANGELES - Taking issue with two decades of research findings in the politically charged arena of gay parenting, two professors say the sexual orientation of parents makes more of a difference than researchers have been willing to admit.

In a paper re-examining data from 21 studies dating back to 1980, the University of Southern California sociologists argue that while the emotional health of the two sets of youngsters is essentially the same, they diverge in some notable ways that have been downplayed.

The gender of the parents and their sexual orientation contribute to the differences.

The paper, published this week in the American Sociological Review, finds that children of lesbians and gays are more likely to depart from traditional gender roles than those of heterosexual couples.

They are more open to same-sex relationships. Teenage boys are more sexually restrained than peers in heterosexual households, while teenage girls show the opposite trend, researchers Judith Stacey and Timothy J. Biblarz concluded.

Daughters of lesbians more frequently dress, play and behave in ways that do not conform to sex-typed cultural norms.

He really is a great Dad, and Sam seems great with the fact that her Dad is gay.

Wooh - thumps up for gay parenting!

------------------
*Read my diary

*Read my page

Thumbs up, baby!

------------------
"Honey, whose car is that in our driveway?"

"It's yours, Frank."

Now, here's hoping that parents who are heterosexual can also figure out how to rear children without being heterosexist or maintaining very limited gender roles.

------------------
Heather Corinna
Editor and Founder, Scarleteen

My best friends dad is gay, and she is bi.

Gay parenting is fine, as is straight parenting. All we need to do is break down the prejudece against it.

Winnie

------------------
Keeper of:
Scully's bra (EA)
Mulders Wheelchair (SE)
Scene where S tells Sk she's pregnant. (Req)
Scully's green suede jacket (Unn)