How does the gender of parents matter?

Claims that children need both a mother and father to be socially and psychologically adjusted presume that women and men parent differently in ways crucial to development, but is it true?

Biblarz and Stacey (2010) analyzed the findings from 81 studies and concluded that:

The entrenched conviction that children need both a mother and a father inflames culture wars over single motherhood, divorce, gay marriage, and gay parenting. Research to date, however, does not support this claim. Contrary to popular belief, studies have not shown that ‘‘compared to all other family forms, families headed by married, biological parents are best for children’’ (Popenoe, quoted in Center for Marriage and Family, p. 1). Research has not identified any gender-exclusive parenting abilities (with the partial exception of lactation). […]

Our review of research […] suggests that strengths typically associated with mother- father families appear at least to the same degree in families with two women parents. We do not yet have comparable research on children parented by two men, but there are good reasons to anticipate similar strengths among male couples who choose parenthood. […]

Every family form provides distinct advantages and risks for children.

Successful parenting is not gender specific.