The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports civil marriage for same-gender couples – as well as full adoption and foster care rights for all parents, regardless of sexual orientation – as the best way to guarantee benefits and security for their children.
The AAP policy statement, Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian, and an accompanying technical report will be published in the April 2013 Pediatrics (published online March 21).
Children thrive in families that are stable and that provide permanent security, and the way we do that is through marriage, said Benjamin Siegel, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, and a co-author of the policy statement.
The AAP believes there should be equal opportunity for every couple to access the economic stability and federal supports provided to married couples to raise children.
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American Academy of Pediatrics Supports Same Gender Civil Marriage
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Dr. Perrin received her M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University and a Master's degree in developmental psychology from the University of Rochester. Dr. Perrin was President of the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 1997-98, and was instrumental in the effort to achieve official subboard status for the subspecialty in 1999. She is currently the Research Director of the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and a Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts Medical School. Her research has focused on improving developmental and behavioral assessment and care in primary care contexts. She has written one book and co-edited a recent textbook of developmental-behavioral pediatrics.
Dr. Ellen Perrin, MD
Dr. Perrin received her M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve University and a Master's degree in developmental psychology from the University of Rochester. Dr. Perrin was President of the Society of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics in 1997-98, and was instrumental in the effort to achieve official subboard status for the subspecialty in 1999. She is currently the Research Director of the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center and a Professor of Pediatrics at Tufts Medical School. Her research has focused on improving developmental and behavioral assessment and care in primary care contexts. She has written one book and co-edited a recent textbook of developmental-behavioral pediatrics.