tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post114325266015298983..comments2023-10-28T05:39:10.909-04:00Comments on Straight Not Narrow-Presenting Jesus Beyond the Walls: Unfit to Parent?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post-1143738667788935492006-03-30T12:11:00.000-05:002006-03-30T12:11:00.000-05:00It is pretty amazing that Rep. Maggart doesn't con...It is pretty amazing that Rep. Maggart doesn't consider that the children who need foster and/or adoptive parents are in that predicament because their heterosexual parents either couldn't or wouldn't take care of them. And she must not think very highly of those who screen and train potential foster/adoptive parents if she thinks they can't weed out people with emotional problems.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10651455277401911296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post-1143611578767804702006-03-29T00:52:00.000-05:002006-03-29T00:52:00.000-05:00Jim,I sent Rep Maggert this e-mail.Jim,<BR/><BR/>I sent Rep Maggert <A HREF="http://warefarms.blogspot.com/2006/03/letter-to-tenn-rep-debra-maggart.html" REL="nofollow">this e-mail</A>.Bill Warehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11678665649603726370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post-1143598786396082622006-03-28T21:19:00.000-05:002006-03-28T21:19:00.000-05:00Older research (mostly '70's and '80's) found that...Older research (mostly '70's and '80's) found that gays (mostly 14-18 year olds in these studies) had more problems than other teens. More depression, stress related problems, drug and alcohol adiction, more likely to seek therapy.<BR/><BR/>Considering how gays were treated back then, and how vulnerable teens are, this should surprise no one.<BR/><BR/>Those who provide anti-gay research reports, refer to these studies. Today, with more gays out and about and improving attitudes, we are not seeing adverse effects at these levels today.<BR/><BR/>They then imply two false conclusions. First they over generalize and imply that these old teen studies apply to all gays in general. Not so. When gays are older and more settled in, they leave these problems behind them.<BR/><BR/>Second, they take the results which they over generalized to start with, and then imply that since this applies to all gays (which it doesn't) this would include those who are applying to adopt children.<BR/><BR/>What a crock! The truth is, adoption agencies do background checks and can easily eliminate anyone who has a substance abuse problem, etc. etc.<BR/><BR/>Sure gays have the same variety of problems as everyone, and yes gay teens in the past had more problems than other teens, but that doesn't allow one to paint all gays with the same broad brush. <BR/><BR/>The gays the adoption agency selects out would make just as good parents as anyone.Bill Warehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11678665649603726370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665762.post-1143531417729631732006-03-28T02:36:00.000-05:002006-03-28T02:36:00.000-05:00I get your point, but I think it's worth noting th...I get your point, but I think it's worth noting that no state authority would allow straight parents with the "traditional family values" you listed to adopt children, nor would they consider this the optimal environment for raising one's biological children. The standards for adoption (at least in my jurisdiction) are extremely high, to the point that many straight couples who would make good parents are denied.<BR/><BR/>I don't think Rep. Maggart was suggesting that gays and lesbians are the only ones with "numerous emotional dysfunctions and psychological issues". What she was saying is that research shows that gays and lesbians tend to have these traits, and should therefore not be allowed to adopt, just like any straight couple with these traits.<BR/><BR/>I think what you take issue with (and quite rightly in my opinion) is the reseach Rep. Maggart alludes to. The root problem here is bad and prejudiced science, not some fanciful belief that GLBTs are the only ones with problems.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps I'm being nit-picky but it seems to me you're arguing against a straw man here, and I felt I ought to point this out.Jacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06106718028421755149noreply@blogger.com