Date: Wed, 18 Sep 96 10:33:49 HST
From: ramsey@math.hawaii.edu (Tom Ramsey)
Subject: HAWAII, SEPT. 18

		        BAEHR V. MIIKE, DAY 6

The unflappable Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson, a developmental psychologist
from the University of Virginia, was the plaintiff's (the couples') 2nd
witness in the same gender marriage court case.  Dr. Patterson's research
focusses on social and personal development in children.  She is a leader
in her field in for research on chilldren raised by lesbian mothers.
Dr. patterson's  testimony was focused primarily  around her 2 studies,
"Bay Area Families", a 1990-91 study,  and "Contempory Family", a 1994-95
study.

Her conclusions in the Bay Area study  were that children develop well in
lesbian households and that there are few differences in their development
compared to children raised by heterosexual mothers.   Children's self-esteem
was comparable between the two types of homes.   Children in lesbbian
homes were more likely to express stress while at the same time these
children were also more likely to feel a sense of well being.

In the Contemporary Family study Dr. Patterson found that children in lesbian
households are developing normally as a group; none of the structural
features (ie parental sexual orientation) can predict any significant
aspect of the child's development; and family process variables (ie.
parental harmony) showed no significant difference between lesbian and
heterosexual households.  Dr. Patterson noted that, while a child's
biological link to a parent is 1 factor in predicting development, it is
not the only nor is it the most important factor; the quality of parenting
and care are more important than biology or gender of the parent.
As with all the witnesses to date, both the state's and the
plaintiffs', Dr. Patterson said that
        1. Gays and lesbians can be excellent adoptive and foster parents.
        2. Same gender couples can and do have successful and committed
           relationships.

Furthermore, Dr. Patterson feels that gays and lesbians should be allowed to
marry; such marriage would benefit them and their chiildren.

Cross-examination by Deputy Attorney General Eichor has changed from a
vigorous line of questions to an aggressive, combative tone.  His sarcasm,
demeaning voice inflections, and side comments loud enough to be
heard but "not on the record" have changed the overall ambiance of the
preceedings.  [Only Channel 2 hinted at this on TV last night, but
couldn't convey the spirit of it.]  Dr. Patterson never matched Mr. Eichor's
condescension; instead she returned the discussion to the research every
time.  Like Dr.  Pepper Schwartz yesterday, she maintained respect and decorum.

					Aloha!


					Tom Ramsey
					h.e.r.m.p Co-coordinator

		SOME OBSERVATIONS ON DAY 5

      A warmest aloha to Sue Reardon whose careful notes have made this
and earlier reports possible.  Her notes on Day 5 will appear soon (yes,
some mysterious menehune deleted the electronic copy---no blame!).

      I could attend only the first hour of Dr. Schwartz's testimony, and
she is one dynamite professor.  Her testimony was funny, if you read between
the lines (and not very far).  I STRONGLY RECOMMEND INVITING HER TO ADDRESS
ANY MEETING ON THE NATURE OF COUPLES.

      Tidbit #1:  The couples discussed sex freely with her researchers
(in her study of 12000 couples, divided into 4 types).  But NOT money.
Money touched upon power, and power is taboo.  Her researchers developed
observational tricks for GUESSING which of the couple made the most money
and by what ratio.  The patterns of decision making and interpersonal
deference proved to predictive of income ratios.

      Tidbit #2:  Lesbian couples, by dint of extraordinary ideological
commitment and utter commitment to interpersonal communications, sometimes
work through these power issues to an egalitarian relationship (Pepper
implied but didn't say that almost no one else did).

      Tidbit #3:  Lesbian sometimes process things too much.  Sometimes
the sleeping dogs should be left sleeping, for the good of the relationship.
I couldn't believe she said this in court.

      Overall note:  Men are similar to men, whether in married relations,
heterosexual co-habiting relations, or gay relations.  Women are similar
to women, regardless of the relationship.  Women value communication much
more; men are more likely to let things build up until they explode.
Generally, the relationships are more similar than different, with the
heterosexual co-habiting relations being the most different.


						Tom Ramsey