Do We Think Children Need a Mom and Dad?: Understanding How Gender Ideology Impact Attitudes Toward Same-Gender Parent Family Rights

Abstract

Research and opinion polls demonstrate that attitudes toward same-gender parent families have been improving in recent years among Western countries; however, the history of oppression toward, and misconceptions about, same-gender parent families continue to be demonstrated in Australian family rights policies. Common misconceptions include the belief that children need both male and female role models, and this could be influencing peoples' support for same-gender family rights and having a wider impact on legislation change. Yet a dearth of research exists exploring a connection between gender role beliefs and support for same-gender family rights using a broad international sample, including Australia. To investigate this connection, a sample (N = 615) from 18 English-speaking countries responded to a series of questions to determine the importance of gender norm beliefs on same-gender family prejudice. Regression analysis demonstrated that people with traditional beliefs about gender norms were more likely to endorse a negative attitude toward same-gender marriage and same-gender parenting. Findings suggest a link between socially prescribed gender norms and prejudice toward same-gender parent families that may be fueling arguments against same-gender family rights policies. The implications of these findings on same-gender parent families and their rights require future investigation.

Attitudes towards Gay and Lesbian Parental Rights among Heterosexual Croatian Citizens: The Effect of Traditional Gender-Role Attitudes

“…These findings are in line with recent studies conducted in Australia (Webb et al, 2017) and in Italy (Ioverno et al, 2019). Because of this link between traditional gender roles and negative attitudes toward same-sex parenting, it is not surprising that conservative organisations' campaigns all over the world have a good reception among right-wing oriented people with traditional beliefs about the relationship between men and women.…”

“…It is still a taboo in our schools and students are not formally educated about the facts of homosexuality and its origin. People gather most of the information through the media and informal education in the family, church or among their friends and acquaintances (Kuliš and Petrović, 2018;Matković, 2018;Novak, 2018;Webb et al, 2017). In other words, the ways of gathering information are not primarily related to the formal level of education, but more to the normative way of thinking within society as well as one's family and referent social groups.…”

“…Hicks, 2008;Webb and Chonody, 2014). Therefore, traditional attitudes towards gender roles may contribute to prejudice towards sexual minorities and stalling same-sex couples' parental rights (Davies, 2004;Webb, Chonody and Kavanagh, 2017;Whitley, 2001). According to the social role theory (Eagly, 1987), gender norms (that are determined by biological sex and power differentials) create certain expectations about the roles, responsibilities, and behaviours of men and women that otherwise have no biological justification.…”

The future is queer kids: Queering the homonormative temporalities of same-sex marriage

“…Under heteroexclusive futurism, the Child’s growth into the heterosexual self is considered a pre-political process facilitated by a timeless public institution: heterosexual-only marriage (Hosking and Ripper, 2012). Heteroexclusive futurism affirms that the institution of heterosexual-only marriage is a sacred public space because only the naturally procreative sexual union between man and woman can bring about the stable, gender-complementary and lineal family that is in the best interests of the Child (Edwards, 2007; Webb et al, 2017), including the Child’s normative development of gender and sexual identity (Hosking and Ripper, 2012; Webb and Chonody, 2014; Webb et al, 2018; see also Nash and Browne, 2015). Under this logic, the reproduction of the heterosexual self through the Child is an integral part of marriage; support for heterosexual-only marriage reflects a desire for a reproductive future and straight time.…”

“Wealthy Gay Couples Buying Babies Produced in India by Poor Womb-Women: Audience Interpretations of Transnational Surrogacy in TV News

“…However, the same cannot be said when other components of gay men's lives enter the discussion, one of which is parenting. According to contemporary studies, the majority of Western societies are in favour of same-sex marriages but remain resistant to same-sex parenting (Webb et al, 2017;Gato & Fontaine, 2016;EOS Gallup Europe, 2003). Results show that gay male parenting provokes more negative attitudes than lesbian parenting, and it is also linked with negative opinions on reproductive techniques (Ioverno et al, 2017).…”