Study: Children of Same-Sex Marriages are More Likely to be Poor
In the ongoing effort to legalize and recognize same-sex marriage, one of the most important arguments has always been about the legal rights marriage confers. In terms of economics, a new study now shows that lack of recognized rights results in children of gay couples being more likely to be poor.
According to the report , titled "All Children Matter: How Legal and Social Inequalities Hurt LGBT Families", families whose relationship is not legally recognized face higher tax burdens and are unable to access the benefits one or both parents work for (such as health insurance) or even the social safety nets put in place by government.
This results in children of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families being denied access to one of their parents and more likely to live in poverty.
The report highlights that although an estimated two million children are being raised in same-sex families, they lack the social and economic advantages enjoyed by their peers in legally recognized families.
The children are as happy, healthy and well-adjusted as their peers raised by heterosexual parents, but "laws and policies we have in place haven't kept pace with that changing reality," said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of Family Equality Council.
Among its over 100 state and federal policy recommendations, the report advocated for ensuring access to health insurance and care, educating doctors and schools about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families and revising medical decision-making laws.
Also important: recognizing (and thus granting rights and responsibilities) to same-sex marriages.
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