American Academy of Pediatrics Allowed Itself to be Politicized in Their Rush to Offer an Opinion on the Definition of Marriage
Contact: Debbie Donnell, Ruth Institute, 760-295-9278
SAN MARCOS, Calif., March 27, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- "What is the rush to offer an opinion on a divisive topic like the definition of marriage, when so little solid data is available? It is a shame that a fine professional organization like the American Academy of Pediatrics allowed itself to be politicized." -- Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. Founder and President of the Ruth Institute
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement committing the entire organization to favor the redefinition of marriage to remove the gender requirement. There is absolutely no reason to rush to make such a judgment. The AAP offers no new data on the subject, despite the serious flaws of the old data. Moreover, the Academy remains silent on other issues of arguably greater significance to the health and well-being of children.
The timing of the Academy's announcement gives the appearance that the organization allowed itself to be politicized in advance of the Supreme Court's consideration of the Prop 8 and DOMA cases. The Academy should not have allowed its reputation to be called into question by the timing of this announcement. The evidence on lesbian parenting is of low quality, and the evidence on gay men parenting is virtually non-existent. What is the rush to offer an opinion on a divisive topic when so little solid data is available?
At the same time, the AAP remains silent on these important topics:
- Divorce reform: children are harmed when their parents dissolve low-conflict marriages. The data on this point is far deeper, of longer standing and more robust than any data on the impact of redefining marriage on the children of same sex couples.
- Health risks of In Vitro Fertilization: the data on this point is relatively new, but deeply worrisome. IVF is associated with elevated risks of cerebral palsy, infections, and birth defects.
Far more children are potentially impacted by both of these social practices than by the relationships of same sex couples.
It is a shame that a fine organization like the American Academy of Pediatrics allowed itself to be politicized. Professional caution should have counseled them to remain silent.
Dr Morse is available for interviews. Contact Debbie Donnell at (760) 295-9278.
The Ruth Institute promotes lifelong married love to young adults, and deals with every aspect of the marriage issue and the full range of marriage-related topics.
