Although sixteen states have legalized same-sex marriage, the idea of ​​same-sex parenting remains a controversial topic in America. As American families continue to differ from traditional heterosexual husband-and-wife-headed families, developmental differences between children raised by two lesbians or two gay men are of interest to both the public and developmental psychologists. Perhaps children raised by two mothers or two fathers will display very different gender behaviors and identify differently with their gender than children raised by heterosexual parents. By observing children raised by different parental groups it is possible to discern possible differences, and the resulting benefits, in gender identity and sexual roles. Gender roles and gender identity are comparable measures of how an individual views the gender to which he or she belongs and how he or she fits into it. type. Gender roles are observable or qualitative measures or behaviors that reflect broad gender stereotypes held by society. Gender identity is an internal reflection of how one independently views one's specific gender (Berk, 2006). Some common gender stereotypes associated with masculine traits include playing more aggressively, excelling in school subjects related to math and science, and leading groups. From the female perspective of stereotypes, girls are thought to play in pairs, have calmer behavior, and express more emotions than boys (Berk, 2006). In general, children abandon a rigid and strict construction of gender and begin to adopt a more fluid model as they age and develop cognitively and socially. Until preschool age, most children adhere so closely to their gender that they refuse to break stereotypical gender rules, such as boys wearing dresses or girls... development of sex differences (pp. 82- 173). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=_jumAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&dq=A+cognitive-developmental+analysis+of+children's+sex-role+concepts+and+attitudes.+In&source=bl&ots=6Levine , L. E., & Munsch, J. (2011). Development theories. In M. Masson & L. Gleason (Eds.), Child Development (4th ed., pp. 33-34). London, England: Sage.Levine, L.E., & Munsch, J. (2011). Emotional development and attachment. In M. Masson & L. Gleason (Eds.), Child Development (4th ed., pp. 339-345). London, England: Sage.Sutfin, E.L., Fulcher, M., Bowles, R.P., & Patterson, C.J. (2008). How lesbian and heterosexual parents transmit attitudes about gender to their children: The role of gendered environments. Sex Roles, 58(7-8), 501-513. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9368-0