Florida’s Ban on Gay AdoptionA Cost/Benefit Analysis

By:

Christopher W. Blackwell, MSN, PhD(c), ARNP

Visiting Instructor, School of Nursing

Candidate for the PhD in Public Affairs

College of Health & Public Affairs

University of Central Florida

Florida’s Ban on Gay Adoption:A Cost/Benefit Analysis

By:

Christopher W. Blackwell, MSN, PhD(c), ARNP

Visiting Instructor, School of NursingCandidate for the PhD in Public Affairs

College of Health & Public AffairsUniversity of Central Florida

Introduction

• Currently 35,656 Children in Florida’s Foster Care System (Children’s Defense Fund, 2003).

• Many states are easing the burden of child placements by lowering restrictions on placements by race/ethnicity.

• Some state agencies have stopped considering sexual orientation in their placement criteria (Brooks & Goldber, 2001).

Introduction

• The Florida State Legislature enacted Florida’s ban on gay adoptions in 1977.

• Conservatives support the ban while the gay community brands the ban as discriminatory, homophobic, and heterosexist (Canedy, 2002).

• Florida is 1 of 3 states which outlaw adoptions by homosexuals.

Introduction

• This Examination will Include:

1) Literature Review and Synthesis: Empirical Research Exploring Gay Parents and Gay Adoptive Parents;

2) Policy Positions of major Pediatric and Psychiatric Organizations.

3) Comprehensive Cost/Benefit Analysis.

Literature Review

• Social science research with gay populations is difficult (Heckathorn, 2004), secondary to fear of discrimination, social stigma, and heterosexism among gay individuals.

• Literature examining child rearing by homosexuals although in existence, is very scarce (Sigenthaler & Bigner, 2000).

Literature Review

• Scallen published his groundbreaking study comparing child-rearing practices among gay fathers and heterosexual fathers in 1981.

• Very small sample size (n = 20 in each group). • Overall, fathering behaviors were very similar:- No statistical difference among paternal problem

solving, emphasis placed on recreation; and the degree to which autonomy was encouraged.

Literature Review

• Scallen (1981) Conclusions: • Statistically Significant Differences:- Gay fathers were more likely to endorse paternal

nurturance, were less likely to emphasize economics as a central aspect of fathering, and were somewhat less traditional in the fathering approaches.

Literature Review• Bigner & Jacobson (1989) completed a meta-analysis

on studies examining gay parents and compared a sample of heterosexual and homosexual mothers and fathers.

• Overall, not much statistical difference in responses to hypothetical situations between heterosexual and homosexual fathers.

• Gay fathers had a much greater concentration on the psychological investment of fathering and also gave a more positive self-assessment of their accomplishments as fathers.

Literature Review• Bigner & Jacobson (1989) found lesbian mothers

to be statistically comparable to heterosexual mothers as child oriented, warm, confident, nurturing, and responsive to children’s needs.

• Statistically significant, lesbians were more concerned with ensuring their children had contact with positive male role models.

Literature Review• Dispelling stereotypes, Bigner & Jacobson found

NO studies correlating:- Sexual orientation of parents and children (8%

among homosexual and heterosexual parents);- Sexual orientation and abnormal gender identity

or gender-role behaviors;- Sexual orientation and propensity to abuse or

sexually exploit children.

Literature Review• Siegenthaler & Bigner (2000) studied motivational

differences to mother between heterosexual and homosexual mothers.

• Used the VOC Scale to gauge motivation based on 1) adult status and social identity; 2) expansion of self; 3) morality; 4) primary group ties; 5) stimulation; 6) novelty; 7) fun; 8) social comparison, economic utility, and competition.

Literature Review• Siegenthaler & Bigner (2000) Conclusions:• Only significant difference between the two

groups: Adult-related goals and incentives for having children.

• Lesbians cited a significantly higher motivation based on the basic want to mother while heterosexual mothers cited more societal and peer-related factors in the decision.

Literature Review• Siegenthaler & Bigner (2000) Conclusions:• Heterosexism in society could contribute to a

difference in goal-setting behavior between the two groups.

• Overall, findings between the two groups were very similar.

Literature Review• Brooks and Goldberg (2001) researched both gay adoptive

parents and the adoption system’s response to homosexual adoption.

• Found gay parents were:- more willing to adopt children with special needs;- psychologically stable;- sensitive;- financially secure;- highly resourceful;- Also found to have statistically significant overall higher levels

of education;- Possessed strong support systems.

Literature Review• Brooks and Goldberg (2001) indicated a high level

of homophobia among social workers in the adoptive agencies surveyed.

• Placements with homosexuals were somewhat hesitant secondary to an uncertainty about the effect of placements with gay men and lesbians on children’s adjustment and well-being,

• Ryan (2000) had also supported similar findings of homophobia and lack of knowledge regarding studies of the efficacy of gay and lesbian parents.

Literature Review• Professional Organization Positions:- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) fully

supports legal recognition of adoption by homosexuals (2002).

- AAP recommendation based on the recognition that “a considerable body of professional literature provides evidence that children with parents who are homosexual can have the same advantages and the same expectations of health, adjustment, and development of as can children whose parents are heterosexual” (p. 339-340).

Literature Review- Dr. Charlotte Patterson (1995) of the American

Psychological Association (APA) researched gay parenting and adoption extensively to reaffirm the APA’s 1977 position (Conger, 1977):

- “The sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation of natural, or prospective adoptive parents or foster parents should not be the sole or primary variable considered in custody placements” (p. 432).

- Patterson’s conclusions mirror those of the studies reviewed.

- Suggested that future research should concentrate more on gay fathers and there is a great need for longitudinal data.

Cost/Benefit Analysis• Purpose:

- Compare the actual monetary benefits of keeping the ban with the actual monetary benefits of lifting the ban.

Proposed Benefits of Allowing Gays to Adopt

• 1) the fiscal benefits of allowing homosexuals to adopt children (the saving of funds dedicated to keeping children in foster care and under the care of the Department of Children and Families);

• 2) the psychological/psychosocial benefits afforded to adopted children who will be living in a DCF-approved home instead of the foster care system or other DCF facility;

• 3) the benefits afforded to gay men and women of the State of Florida who desperately want to become parents through adoption.

Opportunity Costs/ Alternative Options

• Shift in recruitment funds from other minorities;• Increase in the amount of administrative expenses

of the Department of Children and Families (DCF)—discussed later.

• Adjust policy to allow only gay couples or single gay individuals the right to adopt;

• Increase funding to actively recruiting other minorities.

Proposed Costs of Lifting the Ban

• 1) Increase in administrative fees to the DCF as a result of increasing number of adoptions;

• 2)Increased costs associated with the need for an increase in case managers and social workers to perform follow-up and post-adoption visitations with the increase in adoptions.

Monetized Benefits of Lifting the BanTable 1: USDA Annual Expenditures for Children

Annual Expenditure Annual (Mean) Cost

Housing $3,340

Food $1,705

Transportation $1,395

Clothing $553

Healthcare $735

Child Care/ Educational Expenses $1,100

Miscellaneous $1,090

Total (Mean) Annual Expenditures $9,918

Monetized Benefits of Lifting the Ban

• Estimating a precise number of homosexuals who would adopt if the ban was lifted is difficult as no studies found has performed this type of analysis.

• Beers (1996) found that 51% of gays in New York City wanted to parent.

• 2000 US Census revealed:- 600,000 same-sex parented households;- 16% of households in CA headed by same-sex

couples (8% in NY and 7.2% in TX).

Monetized Benefits of Lifting the BanTable 2: Total Benefits of Lifting the Ban (5-year period)

Year of Lifting of Ban Children Adopted Amount Saved

One 100 100 X $9,918 = $991,800

Two 100 100 X $9,918 =$ 991,800

Three 100 100 X $9,918 =$ 991,800

Four 100 100 X $9,918 =$ 991,800

Five 100 100 X $9,918 = $991,800

Total 500 991,800 x 5 = $4,959,000

Monetized Costs of Lifting the BanTable 3: Fees Associated with Adoption

Agency Fee Item Amount

Application Fees $300

Homestudy and Preparation Services $1,600

Post-Placement Supervision $850

Parent Physical for Each Parent $93

Psychiatric Evaluation for Each Parent $325

Court Costs and Attorney’s Fees $500

Total Amount $3,668

Monetized Costs of Lifting the BanTable 4: Total Costs Associated with Lifting the Ban on Gay Adoptions

(5-year period)

Year Number of Adopted Children

Total Expenditure

One 100 100 x $3,668 = $366,800

Two 100 100 x $3,668 = $366,800

Three 100 100 x $3,668 = $366,800

Four 100 100 x $3,668 = $366,800

Five 100 100 x $3,668 = $366,800

Total 100 $366,800 x 5 = $1,834,000

Monetized Costs of Keeping the Ban & Net Benefits

• Same as the benefits of lifting the ban • Over a 5-year period equal to $4, 959, 000 (using

100 as the potential number of adopted children).Table 5: Total Net Benefits: Lifting the Ban (5-Year Period)

Total Benefits $4,959,000

Total Costs $1,834,000

Benefits- Costs $3,125,000

Total Net Benefits $3,125,000

Discounting• Brings future costs into today’s values (Korosec,

2003).• For this analysis, will discount for a 5-year period:

PV = Sn S = Sum of Costs and Benefits

(1+ r)n n = Given Year

r = Discount Rate (.05)

Discounting: Benefits of Keeping the Ban

1 2 3 4 5$366,800 + $366,800 + $366,800 + $366,800 + $366,800(1 + .05)1 (1 + .05)2 (1 + .05)3 (1 + .05)4 (1 + .05)5

Calculated Answers:

1 2 3 4 5 349,333 + 332,698 + 316,855 + 301,767 + 287,397 =

1,588,050

Discounting: Benefits of Lifting the Ban

1 2 3 4 5

$991,800 + $991,800 + $991,800 + $991,800 + $991,800

(1 + .05)1 (1 + .05)2 (1 + .05)3 (1 + .05)4 (1 + .05)5

Calculated Answers:

1 2 3 4 5

944,571 + 899,591 + 856,754 + 815,856 + 769,265 =

4,286,137

Analysis/Application of the Fundamental Rule of Cost/Benefit Analysis

• Net Benefits of Lifting the Ban = $3,125,000.• Net Costs of Keeping the Ban = -$3,125,000.• Discount Value of Lifting the Ban = 4,286,137.• Discount Value of Keeping the Ban = 1,588,050.• Fundamental Rule: - “In any choice situation, select the alternative that

produces the greatest net (marginal) benefit” (Korosec, 2003)

- Discounting and Total Net Benefit analysis indicates it is fiscally-wise to LIFT THE BAN!

Sensitivity Analysis• “Sensitivity analysis measures the impact on

project outcomes of changing one or more key input values about which there is uncertainty” (Dorf, 1999).

• Uncertainty in this study was the number of children who would be adopted if the ban was lifted.

• Assess Sensitivity Analysis with a lower value of 50 (and holding all other values constant).

Sensitivity AnalysisTable 6: Sensitivity Analysis of Lifting the Ban: Adjusting Number of

Potential Adopted to 50 per Year

Year of Lifting of Ban Children Adopted Amount Saved

One 50 50 X $9,918 =$495,900

Two 50 50 X $9,918 =$495,900

Three 50 50 X $9,918 =$495,900

Four 50 50 X $9,918 =$495,900

Five 50 50 X $9,918 =$495,900

Total 250 $495,900 x 5 = $2,479,500

Sensitivity AnalysisTable 7: Sensitivity Analysis: DCF Costs of Lifting the Ban (50

adoptions)Year Number of Adopted

ChildrenTotal Expenditure

One 50 50 x $3,668 = $183,400

Two 50 50 x $3,668 = $183,400

Three 50 50 x $3,668 = $183,400

Four 50 50 x $3,668 = $183,400

Five 50 50 x $3,668 = $183,400

Total 250 $183,400 x 5 = $917,000

Sensitivity AnalysisTable 8: Sensitivity Analysis: Total Net Benefits of Lifting the Ban

Total Benefits $2,479,500

Total Costs $917,000

Benefits- Costs $1,562,500

Total Net Benefits $1,562,500

Sensitivity Analysis: DiscountingLifting the Ban: 1 2 3 4 5$495,900 + $495,900 + $495,900 + $495,900 + $495,900 =(1 + .05)1 (1 + .05)2 (1 + .05)3 (1 + .05)4 (1 + .05)5

Calculated Answers:

1 2 3 4 5472,285 + 449,795 + 428,377 + 407,978 + 388,550 =

2,146,985

Sensitivity Analysis: DiscountingKeeping the Ban: 1 2 3 4 5$183,400 + $183,400 + $183,400 + $183,400 + $183,400 = (1 + .05)1 (1 + .05)2 (1 + .05)3 (1 + .05)4 (1 + .05)5

Calculated Answers: 1 2 3 4 5174,666 + 166,349 + 158,427 + 150,883 + 143, 698 =

794,023

Sensitivity Analysis• Net Benefits of Lifting the Ban = $1,562,500.• Net Benefits of Keeping the Ban = -$1,562,500.• Discount Value of Lifting the Ban = 2,146,985.• Discount Value of Keeping the Ban = 794,023.• Fundamental Rule: - “In any choice situation, select the alternative that

produces the greatest net (marginal) benefit” (Korosec, 2003)

- Discounting and Total Net Benefit analysis indicates it is fiscally-wise to LIFT THE BAN!

• Sensitivity Analysis: ROBUST!

Executive Summary• Very controversial issue.• Literature reviewed indicated that homosexuals

are at least as capable at parenting as heterosexuals.

• NO evidence supported that children are negatively affected physiologically, psychologically, or developmentally.

• Research is in drastic need of augmentation (especially data examining gay fathers and longitudinal outcomes).

Executive Summary• Based on the analyses of these data, a lift of the

ban on adoptions by gays, although costing $1,834,000 to the DCF (over a five-year period and assuming 100 children per year would be adopted by homosexuals), would benefit the DCF and State of Florida by $4,959,500.

• This yielded a total of $3,125,000 to be saved by the DCF and the taxpayers of Florida;

• Discounting also yielded more positive results for lifting the ban than it did for keeping the ban;

Executive Summary• Sensitivity Analyses were robust:• Limitations/Influences of Funding/ Feasibility:- If the ban is lifted, an immediate increase in the staff of

the DCF is needed.- Initial budgeting for the DCF should not reflect saved

monies.- Suggestions include re-budgeting in the second year,

analysis of precise costs and adjusting the DCF budget accordingly, or implementation of a non-annual budget.

Executive Summary• Limitations/Influences of Funding/ Feasibility:- Spend saved funds on other areas of the DCF,

other areas of the state budget, or allocate back to taxpayers.

- Actual DCF figures were not used;- Potential number of gays and lesbians who are

willing to adopt if the ban is lifted is difficult to estimate and could be much greater or much less than the value of 100 adoptions used in this study.