Unit:
Specialty Strategies in Development of Adolescents' HealthLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Supervisors info:
Αρτεμισία Τσίτσικα, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Θεοδώρα Ψαλτοπούλου, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή ΕΚΠΑ
Θεόδωρος Σεργεντάνης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Πολιτικών Δημόσιας Υγείας, Πανεπιστήμιο Δυτικής Αττικής
Original Title:
Σεξουαλικός προσανατολισμός παιδιών ομόφυλων ζευγαριών
Translated title:
Sexual orientation in children of same-sex parents
Summary:
Sexual orientation constitutes a controversial issue that results to anxiety and distress in cases of
individuals experiencing identity crisis, while it is a source of prejudice and discrimination since
there is limited evidence associated with its nature. Investigating the mechanisms involved in the
establishment of children's sexual orientation based on their parents’ sexual orientation is
extremely challenging due to the multifactorial nature of sexual orientation. The purpose of this
literature review is to investigate and present collective data of the published literature referring to
the sexual orientation of children of same-sex parents. Numerous studies have been published in
the past decades, aiming to shed light into this issue, however conflicting evidence are reported.
The vast heterogeneity of the evidence presented could be attributed to the fact that the majority
of the studies are characterized by extensive limitations. To conclude, literature provides strong
evidence supporting the genetic and non-social environmental impact on sexual orientation. In
addition, researchers suggest that sexual orientation is not influenced by social parameters.
However, the sexual orientation of children of same-sex couples should be approached with
caution, as no safe conclusions can be drawn due to the lack of robust data.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Sexual orientation, Same-sex couples, Same-sex parents, Parenthood, Sexual orientation theories, Adolescence, Sexual preferences, LGBTQ community, Homosexuality
Number of references:
152
