Same-Sex Couples and Their Children Research on same-sex couples in committed, long-term relationships shows that their relationships are quite similar to those of heterosexual couples in most ways (Balsam & others, 2008). One exception: Lesbian couples were better than heterosexual or gay couples at harmonious problem solving (Roisman & others, 2008). What about their children? Research consistently has shown that the children of same-sex parents are very similar to the children of heterosexual parents (Patterson, 2006, 2008). And, contrary to popular belief, teenagers with same-sex parents have peer relationships and friendships that are much like those of teenagers with heterosexual or single parents (Wainwright & Patterson, 2008; Rivers & others, 2008).

Joshua Lott/The New York Times/Redux