Introduction

Pauli and Tori have been a couple for 5 years,living in Orlando. They both make over $65,000 anually. They would like to have a family.A friend tells them that adopting would be a good choice. They called the nearest adoption agency and made an appointment to go in and start the process. The fact that they are going to be same sex parents was not stated in the phone call. The next day Pauli and Tori go to the adoption agency and they sit down with an associate. The associate, Debra, asks who will be adopting the child and Pauli answers, 'Both of us.' An awkward silence came in and Debra began to explain that same sex parents cannot adopt in Florida. It is illegal. The only three states than have a ban on homosexual adoption are Florida, Utah, and Mississippi.This webquest will discuss same sex adoptions.

The Quest

Why can't same sex parents adopt in Florida?

The Process and Resources

:

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

:

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

:

Same sex parents

#1:Rosie O'Donnell opens push for homosexual adoptions

1. Discuss three challenges that might be faced when adopting.
2. What changes would you make to solve the problem of same sex adoptions?
3. How could you determine if the children of same sex parents are as well adjusted as heterosexual parents?

#2:Let Him Stay

1. What reasons can you find that justifies the parents losing their child?
2. Can you propose an alternative to the family having to move out of Florida?
3. Suppose you could have a say in the matter what would you do differently?

#3: Rosie's Story
1. What is your perception on gay rights?
2. Why do you think it should or should not matter if two parents are of the same sex?
3. What evidence do you have that the child may or may not be affected by same sex parents?

• Rosie O'Donnell opens push for homosexual adoptions - This site is from Rosie's point of view as an adoptive parent persepective.
• Let Him Stay - This gives the story of a Florida family who was forced to move in order to keep there children.
• Rosie's Story - This website has many different thoughts from gay parents and their struggles with adoption.

Legalities

#1: Advisory Legal Opinion

1. Why do you think marriage licenses are not accepted by the clerk of courts?
2. Can you make a valid distinction between same sex marriages and heterosexual marriages?
3. What ideas justify that same sex marriages should not be promitted?

#2 Homosexual Adoption Survey Sparks Reaction

1. What facts would you select to show that gay couples are adequate to raise a child?
2.What questions would you ask in an interview with same sex parents?
3. What would result if homosexual adoption were not banned in Florida?

#3 Homosexual adoption bad for kids

1.What examples can you find to justify that homosexual adoption is bad for kids?
2.What are the parts or features of a good family for children?
3. What are the functions of good parents?

• Advisory Legal Opinion - This site talks about the rules and regulations of same sex adoption and marriage according to the Department of Children and Families.
• Homosexual Adoption Survey Sparks Reaction - This site talks how 60 percent of nation's adoption agencies are now currently accepting same sex applications.
• Homosexual adoption bad for kids - This site is telling you how Fox news host and WND columnist Bill O' Reilly predicts that Florida, Mississippi, and Utah may be having to reverse their bans prohibiting homosexual adoption.

Child

#1: School Disciplines 7Yr Old Gay Moms

1. What could be combined to improve the way tecahers and children handle issues such as gay parenting?
2. Can you predict that outcome if the teacher would have handled it in a different way?
3. Can you think of an original way to explain to other young children why one child doesn't have a mom or a dad?

#2 The Popsicle Star

1. How would you adapt to children being different to create a comfortable atmosphere?
2. Based on what you know, how would you explain that the child's childhood is or is not affected by gay parents?
3. How would you compare the views of people pro homosexual adoption and con homosexual adoption?

#3 Gay adoption ban faces challenge is federal court

1.What facts would you select to show that this man was a fit parent?
2. What examples can you find to keep this man from adopting this child?
3. Can you predict the outcome if the child is raised all his life by this gay man?

• School Disciplines 7Yr Old Over Gay Moms - This site tells the story of a 7 year old boy who got disciplined because he explained to another child that his parents were gay and what gay meant.
• The Popsicle Star - This site tells a story of a little boy who was ridiculed for having gay parents but when it came down to it the bully had a different family to and she ended up learning a lesson from him.
• Gay adoption ban faces challenge in federal court - This site talks about a little boy who had been raised by his gay father in miami since 1996 and now because of Florida's ban on gay adoption his is facing a challenge.

Society

#1: Homosexual Adoption

1. Can you assess the value or importance of this bill?
2. How would you rate the opinions of others on this matter?
3. What choice would you have made if you were asked to fight for this bill to be passed?

#2 American Pediatric Association

1. How is the American Pediatric Associtaion related to homosexual adoption?
2. How would you categorize the opinions and facts from the American Pediatric Association?
3. What could be done to minimize the rejection of gay parents adopting children?

#3 Homosexual Adoption Puts Children at Risk

1. Can you elaborate on the reason why gay adoption my put children at risk?
2. Would it be better if there was a ban on gay adoption everywhere?
3. What information would you use to support the reasons why gay adoption is banned in Florida?

• Homosexual Adoption - This is a negative site that makes the case against homosexual adoption.There is a listing of states that are opposed to the issue.
• American Pediatric Association - This site supports gay parent adoptions.
• Homosexual Adoption Puts Children at Risk - This site is against homosexual adoption. It gives the idea that children model their homosexual parents behavior.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

:

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

For my first real world feedback I surveyed 20 high school students and teachers on homosexual adoption. Six out of twenty were against it, two out of twenty were undecided, and twelve out of twenty were for it. The second real world feedback was to write a letter to the Department of Children and Families stating how you feel about this topic and asking them for more information about homosexual adoption and the reasons why it is banned.

Your Contact is: Ms. Doherty

Conclusion

In conclusion as my webquest has inferred,I am pro homosexual adoption. In Florida alone their are many homeless and parentless children in orphanages. I don't see how leaving them there where their childhood is already interupted is a better alternative to homosexual adoption. I believe that two homosexuals who make enough money and are qualified to have a family, should be able to. Two parents who love and care for you are just that, two parents, not two gay parents. If it is a supposed threat to the child's childhood then so is single parenting and divorce because that affects a child's childhood also. I hope my webquest provided valid points to my opinion and the different opinion of others.