This paper reviews research on parenting and child development in new family forms including families created by assisted reproductive technologies, same-sex parent families, and families headed by single mothers by choice. The research is examined in the context of the issues and concerns that have been raised regarding these families. The findings not only contest popular assumptions about the psychological consequences for children of being raised in new family forms but also challenge the supremacy of the traditional family. It is concluded that the quality of family relationships and the wider social environment appear to be more influential in children’s psychological development and adjustment than are the number, gender, sexual orientation or biological relatedness of their parents.This work was funded by a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award [097857/Z/11/Z
