Young Americans Support Gay Adoption, According To Survey

It is yet another victory for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community as young Americans now favor adoption rights for gays and lesbians. Three-quarters of females and two-thirds of males are now voicing their support.

The report from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics showed a steady rise for support since 2002, with a significant shift in attitude among the age 15- to 44-year-old bracket. While the report doesn't explore the reasons for the dramatic shift in attitude, it is believed that familiarity with gays and lesbians has fostered acceptance of gay families.

There is a twist in the survey, however: the new numbers showed support for gay and lesbian adoption, primarily from teens and people in their 20s and early 30s. Those in their late 30s and 40s are significantly less tolerant.

This shift in acceptance became apparent in a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding the rights of gays in adopting. In a unanimous decision, the SC ruled that each state must recognize legal adoptions made by gay parents, whether or not it is legal in their state. According to Action News Jax, this will mean that gay couples can now be assured that their adoptions will be recognized in any state.

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It is impossible to say whether or not pop culture made an impact by molding, reflecting or changing these views, but in the big picture, these findings "fit into broader societal trends of greater acceptance of LGBT lives," University of Kentucky assistant professor of psychology Rachel Farr told Health Day. "Visibility of lesbian and gay parents is increasing, and it is likely that more people's lives have somehow been touched by this issue of lesbian and gay adoption in positive ways."