Researchers slam anti-gay use of work

By Marc Shoffman • December 21, 2006 - 0:00

The academic explains that there is nothing in her research that would lead anyone to agree with claims that gay and lesbian families are unhealthy

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Researchers have criticised 'family values' chief James Dobson for using their work to prove his theories that gay and lesbian families are unhealthy for children.

Mr Dobson, head of anti-gay group Focus on the Family, wrote an article in Time magazine criticising US Vice-President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter over her parenting plans, he backed up his theories by using research from New York University psychologist Carol Gilligan and Yale professor Kyle Pruet.

The pair have slammed Mr Dobson for distorting their work.

Ms Gilligan expressed her shock on a YouTube video this week.

"I was stunned to hear that James Dobson quoted me in Time magazine. I had no idea. I was mortified," she said.

The academic explains that there is nothing in her research that would lead anyone to agree with claims that gay and lesbian families are unhealthy for children.

Professor Kyle Pruett of Yale University's School of Medicine has written a letter to Mr Dobson urging him to stop using his research on fathers.

Mr Pruett is the author of Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child.

Mr Dobson was also criticised by gay parenting group Family Pride executive director Jennifer Chrisler. Writing a rebuttal in Time magazine, she accuses him of misusing science to discredit same-sex parenting.

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