Study finds role models not imperative

The latest information released from a long-term US study has shown that children do not suffer for not having a male father and female mother.

The US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study, now in its 26th year, published the results of it research Male role models, gender role traits, and psychological adjustment in the journal Gender and Society.

The study of nearly 80 17 year olds raised in lesbian households found that teens with without male and female role models did not differ from each other in psychological well-being, and also were no different from each other in terms of stereotypical ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ traits.

Co-author Nanette Gartrell, MD, Visiting Distinguished Scholar at the Williams Institute said: “This study is part of a growing body of research that evinces the positive psychological well-being of children reared in planned lesbian families.”

As part of the study those who said they had male role models in their lives described them as friends, uncles and biological fathers/ donors.

Lead author Henny Bos of the University of Amsterdam said: “No differences were found in the well-being of those with and without male role models, or between girls and boys.

“There was no empirical evidence suggesting that boys require a same-sex parent, or male role model, to develop a healthy psychological well-being.”

Research previously released from the Study shows no difference in psychological well-being between children in planned lesbian families and those in heterosexual two-parent families.