AUSTRALIA: Children Of Same-Sex Couples Score Well In Parenting Study

In yet another blow to the discredited Regnerus study, a preliminary report from the world's largest study of same-sex parenting shows that children in such families are thriving.

Children of same-sex parents are doing as well or better than the rest of the population on a number of key health indicators. That is the initial finding from the world's largest study on the children of same-sex parents, under way at Melbourne University. The Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families collected data on 500 children nationwide, up to the age of 17. An interim report found there was no statistical difference between children of same-sex couples and the rest of the population on indicators including self-esteem, emotional behaviour and the amount of time spent with parents. However, children of same-sex couples scored higher than the national average for overall health and family cohesion, measuring how well the family members get along.

RELATED: A vote on same-sex marriage is pending in the Australian Parliament, but is expected to be delayed until after the national elections in September.