For many gay couples, it can be a daunting task wanting to have children together and raise them. What should be a joyful experience is riddled with challenges and obstacles, both legal and operational, that can make the choice difficult. First, there’s the prejudice to get over, which can make it difficult to find the help that they’re looking. What are the real struggles that LGBT couples faces when they’re trying to raise a child?

The Legal Aspect Of Having Children

Same sex couples usually have to go through alternative means in order to have children of their own before the lgbt parenting process can begin. Assisted reproduction usually takes place, which includes artificial insemination, surrogacy, and adoption. Which choice the couple goes with is a matter of preference, but there are still some differences in the legislation regarding these choices.

Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination does require some legal advice, since the laws regarding this choice for same sex couples is always changing. There is the option of going to a Sperm Bank, or there is also using a donor who is a close friend in order to avoid the costs of a Bank.

Surrogacy

Surrogacy is where a woman stands in to carry a child to term and, through a legal agreement, turns the child over to the couple. An application should be made to the court when a surrogacy is involved so that the couple can gain legal parentage over the child after birth.

Adoption

This is usually the easiest process that most LGBT couples choose, since it doesn’t involve a third party. Of course, there is the hurdle of finding an adoption agency that will adopt to same-sex couples, but it’s not impossible. The most difficult part is that the waiting lists are incredibly long.

The Social Aspect Of Being Same-Sex Parents

Same-sex parents are usually conditioned by society to be concerned for the welfare of their child as they grow up, since they’re in a different atmosphere from what is deemed “the norm.” However, by having counseling involves and having an open dialogue with children, these concerns can be addressed properly. The most important thing that the child feels special, loved, and secure in the environment that they grow up in.

What Happens If The Relationship Ends?

There is also the concern that if the relationship ends, what happens to the child in that scenario. It is best to consult legal advice on the matter so that rights can be determined, since rulings are usually on a case-by-case basis. Of course, the dissolution of the relationship should be explained to the child in an appropriate manner so that they can understand something of what’s going on.

Raising a child alone is difficult task; being a same-sex couple can make the task even more daunting because of the prying, judgmental gaze of society.  But what should matter most is the happiness and well-being of the child, not meeting society’s expectations of what you should and shouldn’t be. With that as the goal, there should be no problems providing a happy and healthy environment for any child.