Charlotte Patterson, a UVA psychology professor, conducted a study discovering that the sexual orientation of adoptive children’s parents does not hinder a child’s positive development, according to a press release.
The study, whose conclusions will be published in the August issue of the journal “Applied Developmental Science,” used a sample of 106 preschool-age children adopted at birth by heterosexual, gay or lesbian couples. Patterson found that the parents and teachers of adopted children of gay and lesbian couples believe that these children are developing and adjusting normally.
Patterson hopes this research will help more children find permanent homes in the future. “With thousands of children in need of permanent homes in the United States alone, our findings suggest that outreach to lesbian and gay prospective adoptive parents might benefit children who are in need,” she said.
Patterson is also a faculty member and research scientist at the Fenway Institute’s Center for Population Research in LGBT Health in Boston, and is known for her research on sexual orientation and family life and development.