Biology Matters
by Katy Faust, Them Before Us:
Regardless of how often we hear, “it doesn’t matter who raises a child as long as they are safe and loved,” the data reveals that being raised by both biological parents is one of the strongest predictors of whether or not a child will actually be safe and loved.
But don’t take my word for it. Listen to the experts:
First, research clearly demonstrates that family structure matters for children, and the family structure that helps children the most is a family headed by two biological parents in a low-conflict marriage. Children in single-parent families, children born to unmarried mothers, and children in stepfamilies or cohabiting relationships face higher risks of poor outcomes than do children in intact families headed by two biological parents. – Kristin Anderson Moore, Susan M. Jekielek and Carol Emig, “Marriage from a Child’s Perspective: How Does Family Structure Affect Children, and What Can We Do about It?”, Child Trends Research Brief, June 2002.
Children who grow up in a household with only one biological parent are worse off, on average, than children who grow up in a household with both of their biological parents” regardless of the parents’ race, education and marital status, including remarriage. – McLanahan, Sara, and Gary D. Sandefur. 1994. Growing up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps. Harvard University Press. Page 1.
Most scholars now agree that children raised by two biological parents in a stable marriage do better than children in other family forms across a wide range of outcomes.” –Brookings Institute
Unrelated Adults Are Less Protective, Invested, and Connected to Children
Decades of research on family structure (or simply googling “mother’s boyfriend”) reveals that it takes more than being in a romantic relationship with a child’s parent, to be a good parent to a child. It’s widely acknowledged that adults respond differently to children who are not biologically related to them. They tend to be less invested, connected, and protective towards unrelated children. This phenomenon is known as the “Cinderella Effect.” Children are more likely to be neglected and abused when living with an unrelated cohabiting adult, especially an unrelated male.
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