The recent policy released by the American Academy of Pediatrics concerning the parental abilities of same-sex couples only affirms common sense knowledge - it requires two supportive and loving parents to raise a child.

The policy, released Monday by the Illinois-based organization, focuses on legally protecting the parental rights of gay parents whose partners have children and for couples who wish to adopt a child.

The policy was based on the findings of the organization’s Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. It says children can be raised in a healthy environment regardless of parents’ sexual orientation.

The policy has no legal ramifications but suggests same-sex couples should be required to meet the same parental criteria as heterosexual couples.

It is sad that it takes official findings like those of the academy’s to illustrate a point which already should be a matter of fact.

Children need to feel loved, safe and supported.

It doesn’t matter if those needs are met by a mom and a dad, two moms, two dads, grandparents or other family units.

The ideal of a perfect nuclear family is a fantasy in our society and shouldn’t be forced upon our legal system.

Some opponents of same-sex parental rights preach children raised in homosexual parental environments stand a greater risk of being involved in domestic violence situations, mental illness and premature death.

It’s hard to hear such misguided scare tactics used to promote ignorance. Unfortunately, children raised in heterosexual environments experience those same problems far too often.

Homosexual and heterosexual parental households can offer the same loving and supporting environments or, sadly, the same dysfunctional surroundings.

The criteria for being a supportive and loving parent don’t include sexual orientation.