Flaws in same-sex parenting study

#926 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 13 Jul 2014.

A Melbourne study recently reported that children raised by same-sex parents were generally healthier than those in the general population, but FamilyVoice Australia research officer Ros Phillips has pointed to what she sees as serious unacknowledged flaws in the research methodology.

For example:

• The gay and lesbian parents were not randomly selected but volunteered.
• The children were not independently assessed – their own parents reported on their progress.
• The research team was led by a man raising two young children with his male partner.
• And at least two other members of the five-member team were also reported to be raising children in same-sex relationships.

“Same-sex couples whose children have health or behaviour problems would be most unlikely to volunteer,” Ros Philips said. “Those who did volunteer, knowing that the results could be used to further the gay lobby’s agenda, would be reluctant to report unfavourably on their children’s progress.”

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.