How do children of lesbian and gay parents compare to those of heterosexual parents in terms of behavior problems?

Research indicates that children raised by lesbian and gay parents exhibit no significant differences in behavior problems when compared to children raised by heterosexual parents. Numerous studies measuring various aspects of child development—including emotional, social, and behavioral outcomes—have consistently found that children from LGBTQ+ families develop similarly to their peers from heterosexual families.

These findings suggest that the quality of parenting, the home environment, and the support systems in place are far more critical to a child's development than the sexual orientation of the parents. When parental relationships are characterized by love, stability, and healthy communication, children tend to thrive irrespective of their parents' sexual orientation. This underlying strength in family dynamics undermines the assumption that parental sexual orientation directly contributes to behavioral issues in children. Thus, the conclusion that there are no observable differences in behavior problems between children of lesbian and gay parents and those of heterosexual parents is well-supported by empirical evidence.