As a child development major, I have learned the importance of a good home environment for a child. The place where a child is raised makes all the difference in their development. Unfortunately, some children are abandoned by their parents and have no place they can call home. In a situation where a child is abused, abandoned, or parents have passed away they would go into the foster care system to live with a family. Now because of Act 1, it is illegal for unmarried couples to adopt in Arkansas. This leaves thousands of children homeless because they cannot move in with or be adopted by single parent families, cohabiting couples, or gay/lesbian couples. This act does not support the best interest of children and families.
In the year 2010 the definition of family is no longer clear cut, there are step families, homosexual families, and single parent families. Over half of all marriages end in divorce, so children live either in single parent homes or have stepparents. The "Leave it to Beaver" family image is not realistic in America anymore. Act 1, is not practical when it comes to the current definition of family. What is important is not how your family is formed but if there is love and support. A lesbian family can achieve love and support for a child just as well as heterosexual couples. There is no proof that a child growing up in a homosexual family automatically becomes gay. Isn't a home for a child better than no home at all? Apparently not in Arkansas..." at any one time in Arkansas 3,700 kids needing foster care; there are only 1000 eligible foster parents" (www.arktimes.com). This law discriminates against homosexuals, unmarried couples, and single parents as a group, calling them "unfit" for adopting. This law doesn't even go by a case by case basis; it just declares people who aren't married can't create a loving home environment.
People who are in support of this law believe that a marriage creates stability in the home. Supporters of Act 1 say that a couple who is cohabiting without marriage may not stay together long term, which may hurt the child. Stephen, who blogged about his opinion on a website said that if a couple can't commit to each other through marriage, how are they suppose to commit to a child for 18+ years? Basically, supporters of Act 1 believe without a marriage certificate the relationship of the parents is not secure and an insecure relationship is not in the best interest of the children.
No matter what form a family is in, the most important part is how committed and devoted they are. Act 1 discriminates and hurts the homeless children of Arkansas. Refusing loving homes to children is unfair. Just because two people have a certificate that declares their marriage to each other does not certify them as good parents or stable. To look for the best interest of children, adoption and foster care should be eligible to any form of loving family.
Chloe Goodwin
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ReplyDeleteIt has been said that Act I was basically a law preventing gay people from adopting children, since gay marriage is illegal in Arkansas, which is true.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said, Act I is sickening and pathetic at best. There are over 3,500 children in foster care in the state of Arkansas that would be denied a loving home simply because the parents are gay. I guess the proponents of Act I care more about oppressing gay people than they do the lives of innocent children.
Ginger Tamijani