Herek Gregory M
University of California, Davis, CA 95616-8686, USA.
Am Psychol. 2006 Sep;61(6):607-21. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.61.6.607.
Whether and how civil society should recognize committed relationships between same-sex partners has become a prominent, often divisive, policy issue. The present article reviews relevant behavioral and social science research to assess the validity of key factual claims in this debate. The data indicate that same-sex and heterosexual relationships do not differ in their essential psychosocial dimensions; that a parent's sexual orientation is unrelated to her or his ability to provide a healthy and nurturing family environment; and that marriage bestows substantial psychological, social, and health benefits. It is concluded that same-sex couples and their children are likely to benefit in numerous ways from legal recognition of their families, and providing such recognition through marriage will bestow greater benefit than civil unions or domestic partnerships. Trends in public opinion toward greater support for legal recognition of same-sex couples are discussed.
公民社会是否以及应如何承认同性伴侣之间的承诺关系已成为一个突出的、往往会引发分歧的政策问题。本文回顾了相关行为科学和社会科学研究，以评估这场辩论中关键事实主张的有效性。数据表明，同性关系和异性关系在基本心理社会层面并无差异；父母的性取向与其提供健康和滋养家庭环境的能力无关；婚姻能带来实质性的心理、社会和健康益处。结论是，同性伴侣及其子女很可能会从家庭获得法律承认中在诸多方面受益，通过婚姻给予这种承认将比民事结合或家庭伴侣关系带来更大益处。文中还讨论了公众舆论倾向于更支持同性伴侣法律承认的趋势。
