GAY ADOPTION

EDITOR: This is in response to an article written in the USA Weekend,

June 28-30 issue: ''Why shouldn't gays adopt?''

According to Dr. Drew, the American Academy of Pediatrics has come out in

favor of gay adoption, due to a ''growing body of scientific literature''

demonstrating that children of gay and/or lesbian parents fare just as well in

all areas of development as children of heterosexual parents. As long as they

grow with a healthy ''attachment,'' then all will be well.

I shudder to think how easily this opinion can be passed on as fact when so

little time has passed since gay adoptions have been allowed. Certainly there

has not been enough time to study enough adult children reared in these

situations. Child rearing has many variables, as any experienced parent will

know. You can't base it on some growing body of scientific literature.

What I do know from my own experience with child rearing is that our

children thrive on the natural balance of parenting styles they receive from

us as a man and a woman. My son, in particular, needs the strong,

authoritative figure in his father, especially in the area of discipline.

No amount of wisdom can change certain laws of nature. We must be careful

not to let our wisdom blind us to these truths.

DEBRA FISCHER

Kelseyville