Foster Care

Foster Care

      Let me just start off with a general quote describing foster care, “foster care provides children with an alternative to living in an unsafe environment. It is a system in which a minor is placed either with a relative, foster parent, or a close family friend as a substitute for a child’s unsuitable living situation” (Transitions Children’s Services). Knowing that, I will explain the process needed in order to become a foster parent, common misconceptions, and the effect on both foster child and parent. Before going through the process of being a foster parent it is important to keep in mind these ten myths that you may have believed about the foster care system in the past.

      Myth number one, “Most children in foster care have dozens of placements” (AdoptUSKids), no, in fact on average each child has a number of three placements. Number two, “the racial background of most children in foster care is…” (AdoptUSKids), the races in a foster care are often quite diverse, “Approximately 41% of children in foster care are white, 27% are Black, 21% are Hispanic, and the remaining 8% are multiracial” (AdoptUSKids). Number three, “ Most children in foster care are teenagers” (AdoptUSKids), the actual average age of kids in the system are 10. Number four, “I have no control over which children I’m asked to foster” (AdoptUSKids), you can’t specifically say I want a blonde hair, blue eyed, boy, about 5. You are however allowed to choose the gender you prefer, the age range, and if you get the call that there is a 10 year old girl in need, then you always have the option to say no if that doesn't fit with your household. Number five, “Each foster child has to have a room of their own” (AdoptUSKids), correction, each child must have a bed of their own, not specifically a room of their own unless behavioral issues imply so. Number six, “I can’t foster if I have a full time job outside of home” (AdoptUSKids), there is no need to be a stay at home parent in order to foster, but if the child needs daycare you will have to cover the expense. Number seven, “As a foster parent, I will receive little to no support from the state” (AdoptUSKids), false, Medicaid covers the child's medical expenses, the foster care agency will send a monthly check to help pay for room and board, and some state agencies provide supportive services such as training and respite care. Number eight, “All children in foster care have special needs and require special education” (AdoptUSKids), though many children may have physical, mental, or emotional handicaps, the term special needs refers to children with specific factors or conditions like siblings that have to go as a pair, older children, or being part of an ethnic background. These should not be confused with those that need special education. Number nine, “Adopting or fostering a child who’s been removed from the care of their birth parents is dangerous” (AdoptUSKids), agencies and the state are very careful when dealing with any difficulties resulting in the separation of the child with their birth family, and the fostering parents. When court-ordered visits are needed, it will be decided whether supervision will be needed or not. Finally number ten, “I’m not allowed to adopt children I foster” (AdoptUSKids), it is true that if it has been decided the child can return to their birth parents that you can not adopt them, but for the 54% of children that can not return to their parents, adopting them after you have fostered them is a possibility. Now that you have cleared those myths from your mind, you can make room for the fostering process.

      The whole process from orientation to approved and licensed can take quite a bit of time, depending upon your eagerness, and the agency you are working with. Your first step is to attend a day orientation that will give you important information to confirm your decision, or to help you realize you need more time. Then you will fill out a foster parent questionnaire to see if you meet the qualifications. General requirements are: you must have compassion and the willingness to nurture a child in crisis, be 21 or over, have space in your home, have a valid drivers license and proof of auto insurance, all adults in the home must pass a fingerprint background check, complete a general health exam/TB test, must be certified in first aid and cpr, and basic water rescue training if you have a pool, spa, or pond at your home with no lifeguard. The next step is to fill out and turn in a foster parent application. Then attend 20 hours of foster/adopt training. Next you will participate in an interview for certification. Finally you need to pass a home check. From there you could wait anywhere from a few days, up to six months before receiving a foster child in need, it all depends on the needs of the child in comparison to what you offer, and location. Now comes the effect on both you and the child or children.

      Considering the initial quote, this whole system is to help these children. They are coming to you from unsuitable homes, some from abuse, and others from neglect, so their emotional standing may be poor. It is wrong to assume that any child should be automatically grateful to b e put into the foster care system. Though they may be better off later, in the initial moment they will not be sweet happy little kids. They may not understand or be confused, they are taken from their parents, their home, possibly their school, maybe pets, and other such items, and put with a complete stranger in all new room and situation. This is why many want nothing to do with being a foster parent. It is a tough task at times, they may scream at you not to touch them, don't talk to them, or that they want their mommy, but all you can do is to try your best yo be loving, comforting, and supportive. Imagine if you put yourself in their shoes, it may help you better understand where they are coming from. Negatives aside there are so many positives that far outweigh the bad or difficult. You have a chance to change a child life. It may not be a huge impact for some, but many foster children that have grown up and gone on their own have reflected back to their foster parents and been grateful for the support and care they were given, “My family and my life may have been unconventional but I’m the woman I am now- with the drive to follow my dreams and keep my heart open- because of it” relates Kaitlin Chamberlain, who got bounced around to many different homes when she was younger, but wouldn't change her life for a minute. For the parents themselves you can learn so many new things from a foster child, strength, new techniques, ways of thinking, experiences, beliefs, compassion, and understanding to name a few. Being a foster parent can be a highly rewarding personal choice for anyone willing to help those in need. You can be that change in someones life, and they can do the same for you.
      Becoming a foster parent can be a tough decision, you may encounter children with difficult emotional needs, or feel like there is just no way you can help.but keep in mind that it is a loving, and supportive presence that they need, and that you are providing. If you have that desire to be a foster parent, don't wait and expect someone else to do it instead, there are roughly half a million U.S kids in the foster care system, and only about half that of foster parents, you can make a difference. Remember the myths, take that first step, finish the process, and you can be on the road to a rewarding life.

Sources:

• http://people.howstuffworks.com/foster-care.htm 
• http://www.childrensrights.org/issues-resources/foster-care/facts-about-foster-care/ 
• http://www.transitionschildrensservices.org/foster-care.html?gclid=CMLsmv2Fxb0CFclDMgodBCQA-w 
• http://www.thebolditalic.com/articles/3360-i-grew-up-in-the-foster-care-system 
• http://adoptuskids.org/for-families/how-to-foster/common-myths-about-foster-care#multiple-placements 

Drinking While Pregnant

Drinking While Pregnant

      Is drinking while pregnant harmful to the baby? What are the effects of alcohol to the fetus? How much alcohol is harmful to the baby? How much are women able to drink? Does alcohol make the fetus have better mental health? There are many questions that are asked to this specific subject and there many different answers that are given. Many people believe that women should stay completely away from alcohol while others think that a little bit of alcohol is okay and won't harm the baby.
       Doctors don't actually know how much alcohol is good or bad for the baby that is why they tell every pregnant women to lay off of drinking. There are many people that don't believe that a little sip can cause harm and some people believe that it can but in reality know one actually knows since there are so many different things that can happen when you drink. So many studies have been going on to this specific topic and many have seen that it is bad but there are others that say the exact opposite ad that can confuse many people.
       Many risks come when drinking while pregnant. Your baby can have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders describes problems related to alcohol before birth. The worst result of alcohol is fetal alcohol syndrome. It is a condition of poor growth and can happen in the womb and after giving birth. Women should watch out on what they drink since its not only their life they are affecting but the babies as well. Drinking alcohol can cause the baby that is developing to become still and die in the womb or it can cause miscarriages. The baby will have high dosage of alcohol in its system since it is barely able to break down the alcohol content in its blood. it can cause the baby to have learning disabilities, mental and physical health problems.

        Alcohol is a big deal breaker when it comes to being pregnant because women usually having a couple sips here and there but there are others that drink more. There are many things that doctors will tell you and some answers that one might not expect. According to some studies, drinking while pregnant can be a good thing because it make the baby have better mental health. This doesn't mean that one should get drunk. Just moderate drinking can be good, but does this mean that it is okay to drink when caring a baby?
Doctors have seen that many women prefer not to drink but they still want an occasional sip here and there in holidays, but they still ask if that little sip is harmful. Some doctors say that having a little sip is okay as long as you don't over do it, but there are still many risks like fetal alcohol syndrome and the child not developing right, or even causing a miscarriage. Women should lay off alcohol until the pregnancy is over and done. It is healthier for you and the baby.

Bibliography

Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy
Reviewed by the Baby Center Medical Advisory Board
http://www.babycenter.com/0_drinking-alcohol-during-pregnancy_3542.bc

New study shows no harm from moderate drinking in pregnancy, but experts urge caution
Meghan Holohan
http://www.today.com/moms/new-study-shows-no-harm-moderate-drinking-pregnancy-experts-urge-2D11849699

Spoiling Children

Spoiling children in America has become one of the most common ways to start a child’s life off wrong. “Over indulgence is one of the most insidious forms of child abuse.” Spoiling your child is a common way of “abuse” and can lead them to a life of personal and social problems.  

Often time’s parents who spoil their children know that they are doing this yet they do nothing to stop it. “Parents tend to know that their children are spoiled but don’t do anything to prevent it.” The definition of a spoiled child varies but mainly it falls along these guidelines: getting everything they desire, over-indulged, terrible bratty behavior or they tend to push adults over the limit. “4 signs your child is spoiled: whines not cries, has frequent temper tantrums, never hears the word “no”, your child wins arguments.” At least 65% of American young adults and children are spoiled. “Spoiled children know exactly what they’re doing, they’re very manipulative.” Often parents feel guilt about something and that emotion can start this process of over-indulging their child. Children of divorce tend to be more spoiled because the two parents feel guilty or bad for their child for putting them through that situation. “Parents should demand the same positive behavior from the children they did prior to the divorce.” Another leading factor of this problem is lack of discipline. “It’s speculated that because both mothers and fathers are more commonly in the full-time workforce than ever before, they feel guilty about hiring babysitters or nannies for their children and thus won’t discipline them.” It’s up to the parents to stop spoiling their children and start becoming more like parents, rather than friends.

            Spoiling a child rarely has positive outcomes, most of the time the effects are negative. Spoiled children end to be materialistic, selfish, socially troubled and they don’t know the meaning of determination and responsibility. These children will have a rude awakening when they go into the real world and realize that not everyone will just hand them what they want. The parents often get treated badly yet don’t stop this, so the children grow to not respect people later on in life. Spoiled children don’t understand the true meaning of happiness or the meaning of appreciation the things they are given. They are never satisfied and always want more. “Refusing to hold your child accountable when he does something wrong sends the message that he never makes a mistake.” A lot of parents do this and it’s just another form of over-indulgence. Parents give the idea, by performing thus, that their child can never do anything wrong. This attitude can be crippling when they go out into real life situations.

            All parents should stop spoiling their children immediately.  “Your choice to not spoil your children will bless you with more opportunities to show them understanding and compassion and to be fully present with them as they journey toward adulthood.” Parents should practice ‘Tough Love’ on their children; it benefits both sides of this argument. Parents should teach their children good moral and ethical values early on in life. “Let them work and earn what they want when the time comes for them to go to college and enter the workforce, you will have the confidence that you have raised a child that can both enter and contribute to society confidently.” “How to stop spoiling your children: be the parent, enforce bedtime, start a chores list, give an allowance, have family meetings, talk to your kids, have family dinner, reduce hired help.”

   In conclusion, spoiling your children doesn’t positively affect either side of this argument, so why not just stop? Stop setting your child up for a future life of hardship. Stop treating them as if they are higher above the rest of the world, when in fact they are average. Stop sending them the wrong messages, and start sending them the right ones.

·         For assistance with learning more about spoiled children, how to tell if your child is spoiled, effects, or how to prevent this in your child visit these sites:

  http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Spoiled-Children#ixzz2Q5bYBzZ7

  http://www.totsites.com/help/baby/4-signs-your-toddler-is-spoiled.php

 http://www.professorshouse.com/Family/Children/Articles/Why-Parents-Should-Not-Spoil-Children/

  http://voices.yahoo.com/the-definition-spoiled-child-10413377.html

  http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/94

  http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/are-your-children-spoiled

  http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Spoiled-Children

  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/learned-self-reliance-the-negative-effects-of-spoiling-children.html

  http://www.modernmom.com/article/can-spoiling-a-child-cause-bad-behavior

  http://www.livestrong.com/article/514405-long-term-effects-of-spoiling-children/

  http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2006/3596.html

By: Chelsea Hamner

Autism and Other Disorders

Drew Ashby

Research Project On Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder. It appears in the first 3 years of a child’s development. It is not one disorder, but in fact Autism and Autism spectrum disorder are a series of complex brain development disorders.

Signs of Autism may include: Few or no Joyful expressions by 6 months, no attempts at talking, or “babbling” by the first year, no gestures such as pointing, showing, or reacting by 1 year, and any loss of speech at any age. Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, can also be characterized by restricted, repetitive behaviors and deficits in communication and other developments that take place early in life.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/learn-signs

“Spectrum” refers to a wide range of symptoms and levels of disability. Asberger’s syndrome is now classified as a part of ASD. The causes of Autism Spectrum are not well known, but a combination of genes and a child’s environment may play a role in Autism. If twins are born and one child has Autism there is a nine out of ten chance that the other will also. A strange fact is that most diagnosed with Autism do not have a history of it in their family, suggesting that many rare, random gene mutations may cause Autism. With environmental causes, scientists are studying parental age as well as medical conditions within the family, exposure to toxins and complications with birth. With both environmental and genetic theoretical causes, often more than one is the cause for Autism. Some parents infer that vaccines may cause Autism, due to the large amount of shots in the first years of life, and don’t vaccinate their kids. Which is the same time autism develops. Dumbasses. There has been no link between vaccines and autism despite numerous studies.

There are many characteristics children with Autism develop. Autistic children will often have social impairments, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors. Children with autism will often make little eye contact, often fail to look and pay attention to people in their surroundings, do not often share enjoyment with others, and respond unusually to other’s emotions. They will show impairment in communication by repeating words or phrases they hear, develop language later in life, and people may find it hard to get an autistic child’s attention. They also, like someone with Down Syndrome, stimulate with repetitive behaviors.

Many children with autism have overly focused interests, and may move in certain ways, or have a fascination with moving objects. They may also develop interests in logical pursuits and numbers, such as science and symbols.

It is important to remember that no two children with autism are the same. Autism refers to a variety of disorders and a large amount of conditions and symptoms.

The risk factor of autism is actually high, especially among boys, who have 4 times the risk that girls have. It is estimated that 1 in 88 children will develop autism. The knowledge about autism has increased and ignorance has decreased about autism, and many more parents and doctors know about autism in these recent times. It is a matter of discussion in the field of science, but there is a large increase in autism in recent years. There is little on exactly why or how such an increase would happen. Diagnosis involves a 2 step process, a general developmental screening by a pediatrician, and evaluation by a team of doctors with many specialties. Often only at this stage is when children are diagnosed. The age of the child is important as a child will not be able to be diagnosed if it is not yet developed. Often a child is diagnosed at 2 years, although they can be diagnosed earlier, and preferably autism is diagnosed as early as possible, as early intervention may lessen the severity of many symptoms.

Some other problems that could help to diagnose are sensory problems, sleep problems, and intellectual problems as well as possibly seizures. Autistic children will overreact or underreact to their environment. they may also experience problems staying or falling asleep, or oversleeping. People with autism also have gaps in intelligence. They may focus very well and be very good at puzzles or other logical pursuits, but may struggle inspeech or language skills.

Children with autism may also have more physical problems, such as1 in 4 children may have seizures, gastrointestinal problems, and many have other mental or behavioral disorders such as Asberger’s syndrome, and ADHD. Rett syndrome is more rare than the other disorders listed, and mostly occurs in females. It is very uncommon and develops in young children, similar to autism.

As the awareness of autism grows, so does the acceptance of it by public schools, and the special education programs are in general much more supportive in recent years. This may make it much easier for the parent and child to accept this so far incurable disorder.

although an autistic child will always have autism, there are treatments and medications. Some antipsychotic medicines may help treating autism and may prevent self-injury, by changing the effects of brain chemicals. Although these medicines treat more severe problems such as schizophrenia and other serious disorders, they have showed to lessen symptoms of ASD as well. Other medications that help to treat ADHD, stimulants such as ridilin and antideppresants such as Concerta and Prozac have also been known to lessen the habitual nature and stimulating habits of a child with autism. Scientists are also working on studys of how one’s environment may affect certain genes, turning them on and off, and how this relates to autism. There are also many studies that suggest that autism may begin before birth.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-pervasive-developmental-disorders/index.shtml?utm_source=rss_readers&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_full

Scientists, as I have said before, have begun taking much more interest in autism and more and more studies have been conducted in recent years. There are also new fields of autism research, including environmental science, and genetics. There are many genetic mutations linked to autism. Autism has shown to have a prevelance of 1 to 88 by modern studies.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/top-ten-autism-research-advances-2012

There are 5 levels of autistic disorders spectrum, the most well known being autism. Asberger’s syndrome is considered “high functioning autism” and is mostly characterized by social awkwardness and lack of ability to understand social behavior. children with Asberger’s are often more successful in school and other pursuits and tend to be more intelligent than a child with autism. Rett’s disorder is categorized as autism and share many of the same symptoms, but is often more physical, having small appendages, and having seizures most of the time.

          
         This is a good short narrative about what it is like to meet someone with autism       
When Stacey went over to her new friend Chelsea's house, she met Chelsea's 4-year-old brother, Shawn. "Hi," said Stacey, smiling. Shawn looked at her but didn't say anything. Then he turned back to a toy he was holding. Later, in Chelsea's room, Stacey said, "I don't think your brother likes me."
"It's not your fault," said Chelsea. "It's not that he doesn't like you — Shawn has autism and it's hard for him to talk sometimes. But I can show you how to play with him, if you want."
         Autism and speech problems also go hand in hand. Many with autism have speech delays and don't like to talk, even if they can. Speech delays rise in severity with the severity of the autism. They range from simple social awkwardness in Asberger's syndrome, to being completely unable to form undertandable words.

If a child has autism, it is important to remember to not judge a person for their inability to control their child. many children with autism have behavioral problems and require behavioral therapy. Support is important for a disorder like this which is poorly understood and untreatable. There is also a lot of support groups for people with autsim and autistic children. Autism often goes hand- in hand with down syndrome and other developmental disorders.

HIV / AIDs

Research Project HIV/ AIDS 

You may have heard of many diseases that have been all over, like the Black Plague that swept through the world killing millions. There are others just as good in transition, such as HIV. HIV and AIDS are both sexually transmitted diseases that come in a curtain order. The first thing to take affect is HIV which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.  It is exactly as bad as it sounds.

 Human Immunodeficiency Virus is the first stage of this disease where it basically over time, and without treatment, HIV gradually destroys the body's defenses against disease, leaving it vulnerable to many infections and cancers that do not normally develop. The virus is called retrovirus and is shown below:

                                     

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). People with AIDS have weakened immune systems that make them vulnerable to selected conditions and infections. This can take from 2 to 15 years to develop depending on the individual. This is the most advanced stage of HIV infestation. HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, pregnancy, childbirth & Breast feeding, injection drug use, occupational exposure, blood transfusion/ organ transplant.HIV only infects Humans. Identified in 1983, scientists started trying to understand where it had come from. There are plenty of theories of where the virus was first founded. Some theories suggest that it was founded first in Africa. While others think it was made on accident. 

   Thank fully Antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-positive people now live longer and healthier lives. In addition, it has been confirmed that ART prevents onward transmission of HIV. ART has made it so that 62% of pregnant women living with HIV received the most effective drugs that prevent ongoing transmission to children. There are currently 35.3 million people are living with HIV worldwide. There are 2.1 million adolescents (10 – 19 years of age) are living in low to middle income countries. An average of 2.3 million people had been newly infected in 2012.                    

Sense it was founded, HIV has been the world’s leading infectious killer. An estimated 36 million people have died so far from HIV, with an outstanding 1.6 million people total just by 2012 mostly in sub – Saharan Africa. There are 3.34 million children living with now dormant HIV transmitted from their mom during birth had been cured with medicine. But there’s luck. Without pay or income (ART) has been able to send pills to the low and middle income countries for free to dramatically change the infectious abilities of this virus. Now today, 29 million people acquire the new medicine from the new 2013 guidelines.  

Some signs of HIV infection include the following:               

• Swollen glands

• Sore throat

• Rash

• Fatigue

• Muscle and joint aches and pains

• Headache                                                                                                                         Work cited: http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/signs-and-symptoms/.

HIV has opened doors for many different diseases, for example tuberculosis (TB). Over 302,000 people have died of TB of 2012. This is 1/5^th the 1.6 million deaths of that year. The majority of people living with both HIV and TB reside in sub-Saharan Africa (about 75% of cases worldwide). This was an eye opener for the companies making the medicines.  Works cited: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs360/en/.     

This active virus has been around from 1983-2014. A hard 30 years of infection. Within the first ten years, doctors have tried to hard found ways to help calm the virus progression. Some doctors say that the mind can dramatically affect the virus’s progression. With the mind, protein & vitamin dosage has helped decrease HIV advancement. Protein, for the immune system to kick up, and vitamins to regulate all organ performances. It  is said that catching the retrovirus in the act, and loading your body with vitamins is the best way to disable it . Work Cited: http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/staying-healthy-with-hiv-aids/taking-care-of-yourself/doctor-clinic-and-dental-visits/.

Gay Adoption

Gay Adoption

Right now, in the world as we know it in 2014, there are laws against the adoption of children-an idea which has saved many children from the foster care system – by homosexual couples.  This is wrong in many ways; this is a crime to those parents who are denied a family unit, those children who could find a loving family in those lonely parents, and those who watch as, day by day, the foster care system fills with children that could go to a caring family.

Laws regarding gay adoption vary from state to state, although there’s just one state banning ‘gays’ from adopting outright. Though some of these states, like Mississippi and Utah, have laws against unmarried and single parents alike adopting, most states allow all people their constitutional right of caring for a family(pbs). As of 2014, there are approximately 397,000 children in out-of-home care in the U.S., including those in foster care, orphanages, convents, etc. Why would we deny people, regardless of their sexual preference, their right to save a child from depending on the government system?

“Up to 80 percent of all children in foster care have serious emotional problems.” (childrensrights.org) This issue could easily be solved for many children by increasing the amount of possible homes these kids and teens can become part of, and allowing homosexual parents to adopt; as well as making the legalities, paperwork, and overall process easier. Studies show that "Supporting a child as a gay couple will not affect the child's quality in life.” (debate.org). As of yet, I’m sure that children born and raised by a family have a higher success rate and quality lifestyle compared to those who remain in government care. Studies say that “10 percent of the children (over 23,000) exiting foster care aged out of the system .”(ahs) We could drastically expand the amount of children able to live in a normal family setting, rather than living off of the public care system, if we would just consider people able parents based not on their sexual preference, but their ability to parent and nurture their children.

To be well-adjusted, a child does not need the presence of a male or female role model, and  “research has shown that the adjustment, development, and psychological well-being of children are unrelated to parental sexual orientation and that the children of lesbian and gay parents are as likely as those of heterosexual parents to flourish.” (advocate). Children able to be with such a family have been and continue to show no change in their behavior compared to a child brought up by heterosexual parents (advocate).

        If people decide against a child’s inability to be with their mother, they should consider reading into open adoption arrangements, where the birth mother (who in most cases is either unstable financially or too busy to take care of her child) is kept in touch with their child, they are just not their guardian. In an article (conceivable) on the personal story of one happy little family, one of the fathers said “[we] talk openly and often about the fact that he’s adopted and, although we’re his parents, he has another family who love him very much and are a part of his life.” So in a real testimony by those in an environment which allows their family to flourish, the child still gets an opportunity to meet his biological family.  In this situation, the child gets the best of both worlds! The family that didn't have the resources to take care of him and the two faithful dad’s guidance and will to bring him up right.

The leader of the ‘free world’, Barack Obama, is on the side of egalitarians across the nation, and demonstrated this in a recent speech, where he said, "What makes you a man is not the ability to make a child, but the courage to raise one." This of course, could also be applied for lesbian couples, as a study conducted by Henry Bos, a behavioral scientist at the University of Amsterdam, showed a child with two female parents "did better academically and were less likely to have behavioral problems" (content). Exemplifying how the child’s quality of life wouldn't be changed by their parents sexual preference.

There are many other problems that the world (and especially, America) should be focusing on; the equality issue is one that should be solved early on, at a global level. The pros definitely outweigh the cons in allowing homosexuals their basic rights, and, most importantly, the right to have a family. Who are we, regardless of religion, to vote on whether or not these people can and are capable to raise children? A person is a person, and their characteristics are not based on their sexual preference, but on their values. I hope one day the well being of the children and the surplus of government funds going into facilities for orphanages and childcare will be taken into consideration, and the worldwide relief for children will be structured homes - regardless of who is taking them in. As long as the environment is safe, a child should always get a chance to live in a loving family setting.