Same-Sex AdoptionThe Great DebateLegal Issues of AdoptionAs a society we are governed by the laws of our nation. As a nation, our laws are fluid and evolve with a changing society. It is often said that children are our future; they are our successors, those who will replace us and continue to change the nation and the laws that govern it. It is a parent's job to raise and support young people until they are able to stand on their own. Among the many issues facing our society, one urgent issue that must be addressed concerns the development of these crucial beings, especially those who are legally eligible to do so. There is currently an ongoing debate about same-sex couples and their ability to raise a child and whether or not they are as qualified as their heterosexual counterparts. This question has legal implications that extend to issues such as adoption, whether same-sex couples can adopt, and if so, how this will affect the child. Adoption Rates, Statistics and Policies Research suggests that in the United States there are on average 65 to 80 children waiting to be adopted every day. {Goldberg, Brooks 2001} In the United States we are facing a severe overabundance of unwanted children in the system.{Bradley 2007} Worldwide these numbers are significant, reaching approximately 500,000.{Goldberg, Brooks 2001} According to a study conducted by According to the Adoption Institute, the number of children is growing every year, while the maximum number of adoptions nationally and internationally was 175,000 in 1970. This growing number worries every nation in the world. {Goldberg, Brooks 2001} Economist Richard Bradley equates the high number of children with an unduly burdened and misinformed system. Adoption promotes cognitive skills and emotions... middle of paper... government funds that could be used elsewhere. Spivey, C. (2006). Adoption by same-sex couples: The relationship between adoption worker and social work student sex role beliefs and attitudes. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 2(2), 29-56. DOI: 10.1300/J461v02n02_02This study was conducted using a questionnaire sent by mail. The sample size included sixty-five people, including 31 adoption workers and 34 social work students, with a questionnaire return rate of 55%. The study found that less traditional beliefs about sex roles were associated with less negative attitudes toward homosexuality. The study also found that students, compared to social workers, responded more favorably to same-sex adoption. Many workers were convinced that gay men and lesbians were unfit to be foster or adoptive parents. This result confirmed Brooks and Goldberg's previous research.