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Children of lesbian couples do not suffer from the absence of a father in their home
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Children of lesbian couples do not suffer from the absence of a father as a male role model in their home. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from Amsterdam and California.
Critics of same-sex families put forward the theory that for full psychological development a child needs to see male and female role models in front of him. This role should be played by the father and mother. Allegedly, without such models, children experience more emotional problems in adulthood.
But a study called the US National Longitudinal Lesbian Family Study, conducted by experts from the University of Texas and the University of Amsterdam, showed that this statement is not true. Lesbians are able to surround their children with full care and attention, so that the absence of a father in the house will not affect their mental development.
Scientists surveyed 78 teenagers raised in lesbian families to get a picture of their psychological and gender development. This is the only study of its kind that follows children from same-sex families from birth. It turned out that the presence or absence of a father as a male role model in the home does not affect the child's mental health.
So the absence of a father will not harm the two children of the star of "The Silence of the Lambs" actress Jodie Foster. Jodie is raising sons Charles and Christopher. The actress lived in a happy union with her beloved woman, producer Cindy Bernard (pictured with children), for 15 years, so even Jodie's sons have a double surname Foster-Bernard. However, not long ago the women broke up, and Foster left for 51-year-old Cindy Mort.
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