Decisions made by the government not only affect our lives as individuals, but they also affect our families. Laws at the national level are generally widely accepted, although laws at the state and local levels may be more specific and less respected. For example, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, it is illegal for a person to own more than two adult cats (Bartlesville). Other laws may not seem as silly as this one, but they can be just as unfair. According to the Mississippi Code of 1972, adoption by same-sex couples is prohibited (Mississippi). This state law significantly affects the lives of homosexuals in Mississippi, prohibiting them from living a life full of freedom. It is disappointing and ironic that this law limits individual freedom, even though America was built on freedom. Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 93-17-3, was created in 1972 and recently amended in 2004. It is a strictly state law that prohibits same-sex couples from adopting children. Mississippi is one of the few states that implement such a restriction. By doing this, the Mississippi government creates the perception that it does not want gay couples raising children. While the Mississippi government may not want gay couples raising children, there is a loophole. Nowhere in the section does it say anything about prohibiting a single homosexual person from adopting a child. Technically, a homosexual can adopt a child acting alone, sharing the house with his partner. This way a same-sex couple can legally raise a child together, even if one of them will not officially be an adoptive parent of the child they are raising. Unless strict surveillance is maintained on homosexuals who adopt children as single parents, this sect...... middle of document ......72, or in America. Bibliography Badgett, Lee, Kate Chambers, Gary J. Gates, Jennifer Ehrle Macomber. “Adoption and Foster Care by Gay and Lesbian Parents in the United States.” March 2007. July 20, 2011. Bartlesville, Oklahoma Municipal Code. Section 3-25. “The keeping of dogs and cats is prohibited”. 1986.July 20, 2011. statename=Oklahoma> Eitzen, D. Stanley, Barbara Wells, Maxine Baca Zinn. Diversity in families. Boston: Pearson, 2008. Print.Mississippi Code of 1972. SEC. 93-17-3. “Who can be adopted; who can adopt; location of the adoption procedure; certificate on the child's status; change of name; Adoption by same-sex couples is prohibited." 1972. July 20 2011.