Generally many conservative thinkers will suggest that same-sex couples in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the United States lack the necessary parenting skills to raise children. The main crux for this argument is that they cannot offer both the traditional mother and father roles because they are of the same gender.

Proponents for same-sex marriage and adoption pleaded a convincing case that suggests otherwise, some even going as far to say that same-sex parents are better than traditional parents.

A lot of this argument is based in the fact that same-sex couples put a lot of thought and planning into the parenting process. They are unable to simply have a child by accident, so when they finally do have a chance to adopt, it is something that they've been rigorously preparing for. This is not always the case in heterosexual couples, where roughly 50 percent of all pregnancies are accidental. This is not to say that those parents will not love and care for their child, but it could leave them scurrying to prepare and make them less motivated to be the parents they need to be.

The open-mindedness of same-sex couples has also proven to make them quicker to adopt some of the neediest kids available. Same-sex couples are many times willing to bring in older children, minorities or kids with special needs. With a logjam of children in the foster care system, this is good news.

And in general, studies have showed same-sex couples are plain and simple -- good parents. One study showed that children of lesbian couples turn out just as successful and well-adjusted as children of traditional parents. While there has been little research dedicated to prove otherwise, the parenting ability is also believed to be the same case with children of two gay men.

Still, same-sex couples are just like heterosexual ones in the fact that they can still get divorced and forced to agree to a child custody arrangement and/or parenting plan. The divorce process is very much the same for same-sex couples, but a family law court will still work to ensure the child's best interests are guarded.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle, "Are same-sex parents better parents?" Amy Graff, Jan. 19, 2012