55 percent and 57 percent disapproved of adoption by male and female couples respectively, with (respectively) 21 and 22 percent approved, with 20 percent saying they did not feel strongly either way (Gay discrimination opposed..., 2000).
Gregory M. Herek (2002) believes that there are several variables that directly impact upon public acceptance of gay and lesbian lifestyles, unions or partnerships, and family systems. Attitudes toward gays and lesbians, as discrete groups, also tend to vary; for example, many Americans are far more tolerant or accepting of lesbian partnerships with children than of gay partnerships with children. Socio-economic status, education, and gender also impact upon the perception and reception of gay and lesbian individuals and partnerships or family. Heterosexual males are, regardless of education, occupation, or socioeconomic class, more likely to be unaccepting and intolerant of gay/lesbian relationships and families than women.
Heterosexual women, according to Herek (2002), are more positive overall about same-sex unio
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