Gay Parents Gaining Acceptance

When Americans were asked if they preferred children to be raised by two same-sex parents or one single mom, the answers were a little surprising. According to a new survey by the Pew Research Center, one-third of those surveyed admitted they are comfortable with families headed by gay and lesbian parents.

The survey reveals that at least another third of people believe that nontraditional families are bad for society. Many admitted they are uncomfortable with single women heading households.

While the image of same-sex parenting is definitely making strides thanks, in part, to greater visibility on television shows like Modern Family – which features two gay dads – and even movies like The Kids Are All Right – which was nominated for an Oscar this year – the survey is really split into three schools of thought, according to MSNBC.

When it comes to opinions about parenting, a third of Americans (called the Acceptors by Pew) approve of alternatives to the family unit and a third (Rejectors) think gay parents, unmarried parents and single parents are unhealthy. A final third (Skeptics) are pretty mixed in their opinions.

One thing is clear, however: single moms don’t fair well in the survey at all (people weren’t polled on single dads). It may seem like a step back to criticize mothers who are raising kids on their own (remember Dan Quayle’s beef with the fictional Murphy Brown?). But recently Mike Huckabee – the former Arkansas governor and possible presidential contender – similarly criticized Oscar-winner Natalie Portman for having a baby out of wedlock.

So which is it, guys?