Adoption by Same-Sex Couples19th Annual Robyn Rafferty Mathias LectureI. Introduction In recent years there has been an increase in same-sex couples requesting the adoption of children, both infants and children from the foster care system. Although the social perception of the family is normally composed of a mother and a father, times are changing. According to the 2000 US Census, this social perception of a normal family, called the “nuclear family,” represents only less than 24% of families in the United States. The notion of “nuclear family” is constantly evolving today. society, and with this change must come a more open view of who can adopt children. It is clear that there are several issues regarding gay and lesbian parents, but these issues do not reflect the capabilities of these couples. According to the National Health and Social Life Survey, one to nine million children are raised by a gay parent. . The 2000 census found that there are approximately 601,209 same-sex couples cohabiting in the United States. Although there are six states that currently restrict or ban same-sex couples from adopting, the majority of states allow these couples to adopt. In a CNN article on gay adoption it was reported that 60% of adoption agencies in the United States accept applications from same-sex couples. It is also important to note that these couples are of different races and ethnicities and live in various areas of the United States. States. This comes in handy when finding homes for children. Same-sex couples have also been found to be more open than some heterosexual couples to the type of children they are willing to adopt. Research has shown that many individuals of the same sex... middle of paper... one child then there is another child deprived of adults willing and able to care for them. In these cases, this puts more children at risk of aging out of the system and never having a permanent family to call their own. The more people understand that allowing same-sex couples to adopt is decreasing the number of children who remain in the foster care system, the more people will fight on their behalf. By doing this research, a topic once considered taboo has now been discussed. It is clear that this problem can no longer go unnoticed. It is time to change how society views the “nuclear family” and how adoption professionals view adoptive candidates. Ultimately, same-sex couples should have the same opportunities as heterosexual couples to adopt children because research has shown that they are just as capable..