Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Disputed Study's Author Testifies In Michigan Gay Marriage Trial

The Mark Regnerus study (How Different Are the Adult Children of Parents Who Have Same-Sex Relationships? Findings from the New Family Structures Study) is once again in the news. What I do not understand, if this study and the methods used by Regnerus are controversial (for whatever reason), why is he being allowed to testify? Why is his "study" being allowed into evidence?

My biggest caveat concerning this study, based solely on criticisms I have read [sorry not paying $36 to download the PDF], The majority of the respondents to his survey/study were the result of a failed heterosexual relationship. He compared adults that while growing up, their parents had divorced, against adults whose biological parents are still married today. Pomegranates and avocados.
Regnerus was the leader of a study that screened thousands of people, ages 18 to 39, and found roughly 250 who said they grew up in a house where a mom or dad eventually had a same-sex relationship.

"He found they were more likely to have problems — welfare dependence, less education, marijuana use — than young adults from stable families led by heterosexuals. But he later acknowledged that his study didn't include children raised by same-sex couples in a stable relationship.
I haven't read the actual study, but a point not talked about as far as I can tell (within the confines of courts). These 250 so-called screwed-up young adults, no mention is made of the effects of the parents divorcing. Wouldn't it be more likely the difficulties, "the problems," were do to a lowered economic status. Blaming it on gay parenting seems a bit obtuse.

[Just discovered the "why" of my concern. With this trial still ongoing, the plaintiff's had not had their chance at cross at the time this article was published. Now I am wondering how they will handle Regnerus' testimony. I will be looking to update this as media criticism of Regnerus' testimony has been brutal.]
"Until we get more evidence, we should be skeptical. ... It's prudent for the state to retain its definition ofmarriage to one man, one woman," said Regnerus, who believes that's the best scenario for kids.
Uhm,,,in other words, we need to evaluate something that doesn't exist in order to determine if it should exist. Exactly how does one do that?

Disputed Study's Author Testifies In Michigan Gay Marriage Trial

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