Same-Sex Parenting: Identification of Social Representations in a Sample of Portuguese Professionals

Abstract

Although international scientific research and the position of professional associations reiterate that the parents' sexual orientation is not a criterion of parenting quality, the social recognition of same-sex parenting remains difficult in Portugal. Given the importance of forensic issues in this field, this study aims to identify the representations of psychologists, social workers, lawyers/attorneys, and judges regarding same-sex parenting. The study involves five homogeneous focus groups with a total of 19 professionals. Content analysis reveals reservations regarding same-sex couples' access to parenting, in particular among lawyers/attorneys. There also emerged narratives that highlight specific competencies in these families and that argue that sexual orientation does not define the quality of parenting. Social narratives are more expressive than scientific knowledge in support of professional representations. These findings have critical implications for professional practice and formation.

Anticipating Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Young Adults Without Children in Portugal: Predictors and Profiles

“…Although not considered in Lawson's original framework of intent to parent, there are reasons to believe that anticipated stigma may affect decision making (Hicks, 2000;Gartrell et al, 2005;Matthews and Cramer, 2006;Bos and van Balen, 2008;Eady et al, 2009;Yager et al, 2010;Mellish et al, 2013;Riskind et al, 2013;Bauermeister, 2014;FRA, 2014;Kimberly and Moore, 2015;Fontaine, 2016, 2017;Gato et al, , 2019Xavier et al, 2017;Eurobarometer, 2019;Scandurra et al, 2019;Tasker and Bellamy, 2019). In this regard, using a general measure of anticipated stigma upon parenthood (i.e., eliciting unfavorable reactions from others as a parent), Gato et al (2019) found that lesbian women considered themselves at a higher risk of becoming a victim of social stigma as a mother than did either bisexual or heterosexual women in Portugal.…”

“…Research question 2: Which demographic and psychological factors are predictive of parenthood intentions, and is the nature or strength of these predictions associated with sexual orientation? H2: We expected anticipated stigma upon parenthood to mediate the relationship between sexual orientation and parenthood intentions, i.e., the effect of stigma will affect mostly LGB individuals' parenthood intentions (Hicks, 2000;Gartrell et al, 2005;Matthews and Cramer, 2006;Bos and van Balen, 2008;Eady et al, 2009;Yager et al, 2010;Mellish et al, 2013;Riskind et al, 2013;Bauermeister, 2014;FRA, 2014;Kimberly and Moore, 2015;Fontaine, 2016, 2017;Xavier et al, 2017;Eurobarometer, 2019;Scandurra et al, 2019;Tasker and Bellamy, 2019).…”

“…Investigating attitudes toward same-sex adoptive families among Portuguese students from the helping professions, Fontaine (2016, 2017) found an association between heterosexism and negative attitudes toward adoption by lesbian women and gay men. Also in Portugal, Xavier et al (2017) identified continuing reservations concerning same-sex couples' access to parenthood, particularly among lawyers/attorneys with experience in the area of family and parenting. More recently, Gato et al (submitted) aimed to understand how Portuguese adoption professionals conceptualized and prepared to work with LGB parents and verified that the discourses of these professionals oscillated between awareness of the existing stigma in Portugal against sexual minorities and heteronormative stances regarding same-sex couple adoption.…”

Investigaciones y avances en el estudio social y psicoeducativo de las familias diversas

“…When investigating attitudes toward same-sex adoptive families among Portuguese students from helping professions, Fontaine (2016, 2017) found an association between modern heterosexism (subtler forms of prejudice) and negative attitudes toward adoptive parenting by lesbians and gay men. In turn, Xavier, Alberto, and Mendes (2017) identified social representations of same-sex parenting in the discourses of psychologists, social workers, lawyers, attorneys, and judges in Portugal with experience in the area of family and parenting. While some arguments asserted that sexual orientation did not define parenting quality, and some asserted specific competencies, many instances of expressed reservation about same-sex couples' access to parenthood were found (and these were particularly evident in the discourses of lawyers and attorneys).…”

Pensando a Homoparentalidade: Um Estudo Qualitativo com Jovens Adultos Portugueses sem Filhos

“…Devem ainda ser consideradas as oportunidades ou obstáculos ao nível legal, médico e social que, para além de determinarem a informação que se encontra ou não disponível, são preponderantes no acesso à parentalidade, podendo interferir nas intenções parentais (Aboim et al, 2012;Baiocco & Laghi, 2013;Berkowitz & Marsiglio, 2007;Bos et al, 2003;Brown et al, 2009;Chabot & Ames, 2004;Gianino, 2008;Goldberg, 2010;Rabun & Oswald, 2009;Touroni & Coyle, 2002). Por exemplo, um dos obstáculos pode advir das atitudes dos profissionais com quem lésbicas e gays terão que contactar nos serviços de adoção e saúde (e.g., Berkowitz & Marsiglio, 2007;Brown et al, 2009;Gianino, 2008;Xavier et al, 2017).…”