Children are more likely to be depressed at an older age if they have same-sex parents
Children raised by same-sex couples are at higher risk of depression and social issues as adults, according to a new study.
But child pschiatrists have criticsed the findings.
The research, conducted by the University of Texas at Austin, reported that those whose paretns entered into a same-sex relationship at some point during their childhood, fared worse as adults.
However, experts are suggesting that children now would have a different experience, as the data is based on experiences 10-20 years ago.
The study, published in the journal Social Science Research, looked at nearly 3,000 Americans aged between 18-39.
Broken down 163 of the respondents explained their mother has been in a same-sec relationship and 73 said that their father had.
These children were found to be more likely to require welfare benefits, have a history of depression, be less educated and report sexual abuse.
Mark Renerus, an associate professor of sociology at the University who led the research, told ABC:
"I'm not claiming that gay and lesbian adults are bad parents. This is not a parenting study. What this shows is that there's lots of diversity."
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