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This paper comes by a consideration about a psychological Court Appointed Expert, requested on 2009 by the Florence Court, in determining the best interests of the child following the late coming out of one of parents. The Authors propose a reflection on the changes of recent years in the directives based on scientific research and reverberating on the possibility of procreation, custody and adoption of children by homosexual subjects. The Authors contrast the literature on the possible influence of the homosexual parenting on offspring, the theories about the possible retention of pathogenicity of any familiar secret and finally, they discuss and integrate the scientific guidelines orienting the menagement of Court Appointed Expert.

L’évolution des luttes des mouvements homosexuels de ces trois dernières décennies montre que celles-ci impliquent le plus souvent des demandes adressées à l’État et mobilisent le droit. Pour illustrer ces nouvelles dynamiques, nous allons présenter une étude de cas sur l’histoire des actions et mobilisations de l’association catalane Familles Lesbiennes et Gaies (FLG) visant la reconnaissance des familles homoparentales. Pour ce faire, nous allons traiter des formes que prennent aujourd'hui les luttes pour la reconnaissance, en lien avec l’action collective et la question de la visibilisation, à travers les interactions que cette association a entamé avec la scène médiatique., The evolution of the gay rights movement's struggles during the last three decades shows that these have often involved addressing demands to the state and using the law. The history of the actions and mobilizations of the Catalan organization Lesbian and Gay Families is a good case-study for highlighting these new dynamics. In this article, I will look at the different forms taken by the struggle for recognition, in terms of collective action and the issue of visibilization, by focusing on the interactions between this organization and the media.

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Italian version of a French scale to detect attitudes toward same-sex parenting. The Italian sample was split into two subsamples. On one, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to detect the factor structure of the Italian scale, and on the other, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was run to find the data's best fit model. The scales' internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. The questionnaire's convergent validity was also evaluated. EFA extracted a four-factor solution, in accordance with the original French scale's validation study. CFA showed that the translated scale had good consistency, similar to that of the original version, showing satisfactory internal consistency for three of four subscales. There will be benefits to further validation studies of the translated scale on the Italian population and it may possibly be innovative and useful in both research and social fields.

Previous research on LGB parenting is dominated by comparing the LGB families to traditional families with heterosexual parents. Little is known about personal experiences of LGB parents and psychological consequences of nonheterosexual parenting in a heteronormative environment.This article presents the conceptualization of lesbian, gay and bisexual parents’ minority stress and focuses especially on it’s sources. LGB parents are considered as a multiple excluded minority group. Using a theoretical framework of minority stress (Meyer 1995) the main stressors are described with reference to parental situation: discrimination and violence, perceived stigma, self-concealment and internalized homophobia. These factors’ possible impact on psychological wellbeing is discussed on the basis of research available. The Polish sociocultural context and its potential influence of LGB parents’ stress is also described.The specificity of LGB parents’ minority stress is that it challenges the aspect of identity associated with a parental social role. The most common stressors undermine the status and quality of parent-child bond and involves the child himself/ herself. In conclusion, minority stress of LGB parents is recognized as a risk factor for decrease in mental health, but also as an opportunity for personal development based on the stress - related growth.

This article reviews the historical approach of the English Courts to the children who are raised in same-sex households; it discusses the very recent reformation of attitude of the courts, and of the legislators, to such family arrangements, and it examines the current attitude of the English Courts. The article considers how the courts have struggled historically to apply ordinary welfare principles in the different context of homosexual parenting, and discusses the complex inter-play of family relationships when children are born into same-sex families through donor insemination. The article discusses the ongoing challenges for the courts in dealing with cases of this kind.

The present thesis aimed at knowing the correlates and predictors of attitudes toward homosexual parenting, based on explicit and implicit variables. In order to attain this objective, five studies were conducted. Study 1 aimed at mapping participants’ opinions about child adoption by homosexual parents. Participants were 484 people from general population, with mean age of 26 years (SD = 8.31). They answered to social and demographic questions, and to a structured interview. In sum, results showed a potential acceptance of this type of adoption, as long as the parents have favorable financial, emotional and educational background. Study 2 sought to test psychometric parameters of the relevant measures. Therefore, a sample of 223 undergraduates participated, their mean age was 22 years (SD = 4.42). Participants answered to experimental versions of the following measures: Attitudes toward Homosexual Marriage Scale (ATHM) and the Sexual Prejudice Multidimensional Scale (SPMS). The main results indicated that both measures gathered preliminary evidences of validity and reliability. Study 3 aimed at gathering more robust psychometric evidences of the measures used in the previous study. Participants were 261 people from general population, with mean age of 30 years (SD = 9.35). The results confirmed the assumed factor structures for both scales, indicating psychometric adequacy of a reduced model (parsimonious). Study 4 allowed the development of an explanatory model regarding acceptance and/or opposition to homosexual parenting. Participants were 339 people from different Brazilian states, with mean age of 26 years (SD = 8.15). They answered to the short version of scales used in the previous study, and the Basic Values Survey (BVS), behavioral, and demographic variables. Results showed adequacy of two models: (1) Sexual prejudice/ Values → Acceptance of Homosexual Parenting → Homosexual parenting contact acceptance [²/df = 3.77, GFI = .99, AGFI = .93, CFI = .98, RMR = .02 e RMSEA = .09 (.023 – .163)] and (2) Sexual prejudice/ Values → Opposition of homosexual parenting → Homosexual parenting contact rejection [²/df = 4.46, GFI = .98, AGFI = .91, CFI = .97, RMR = .01 e RMSEA = .10 (.057 – .151)]. Finally, Study 5 aimed at controlling social desirability and at verifying implicit attitudes toward homosexual parenting and its value correlates. It was a quasi-experimental study with a factorial design 2x2x3. Participants were 458 people recruited online, with mean age of 23 yeas (SD = 7.6). They answered to demographic questions and to explicit and implicitmeasures. The results indicated that heterosexual parenting was considered more conventional than homosexual parenting, corroborating the hypothesis of a heterosexual norm, and an influence of normative values. In conclusion, the objectives of the present dissertation were attained, providing additional and substantial evidence to identify factors that explain attitudes toward homosexual parenting, and of the role of normative values. Nevertheless, future studies are proposed, aiming at contributing to the field. Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES A presente tese objetivou conhecer os correlatos e preditores das atitudes frente à homoparentalidade, a partir de variáveis explícitas e implícitas. Para atender este objetivo, realizaram-se cinco estudos. O Estudo 1, objetivou mapear as opiniões dos participantes acerca do contexto de adoção de crianças por homossexuais. Participaram 484 pessoas da população geral, com idade média de 26 anos (DP = 8,31). Estes responderam, além das perguntas sociodemográficas, a um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada. Em síntese, os resultados apontam para uma potencial aceitação homoparental, desde que condicionada a um contexto de favorabilidade emocional, financeira e educacional dos adotantes. O Estudo 2 buscou testar os parâmetros psicométricos das medidas ora empregadas. Para tanto, contou-se com uma amostra de 223 estudante universitários, estes tinham idade média de 22 anos (DP = 4,42). Os participantes responderam as versões experimentais das seguintes medidas: a Escala de Atitudes Frente à Conjugalidade Homossexual (EAFCH), a Escala de Atitudes Frente à Homoparentalidade por Adoção (EAFHA) e a Escala de Multidimensional de Preconceito Sexual (EMPS). Os principais resultados indicam que tais medidas reúnem evidências preliminares de validade e precisão. O Estudo 3 teve a finalidade de reunir evidências mais robustas de qualidade psicométrica dos instrumentos utilizados anteriormente. Participaram 261 sujeitos da população geral com idade média de 30 anos (DP = 9,35). Os resultados permitiram comprovar as estruturas fatoriais presumidas de tais medidas e indicaram a adequação psicométrica dos modelos reduzidos (parcimoniosos). O Estudo 4, propiciou a elaboração dos modelos explicativos referentes a aceitação e/ou oposição homoparental. Participaram deste estudo 339 indivíduos de diferentes estados brasileiros, com idade média de 26 anos (DP= 8,15). Estes responderam às versões reduzidas das escalas utilizadas no estudo anterior e ao Questionário dos Valores Básicos (QVB) e a Variáveis Comportamentais e Sociodemográficas. Os resultados comprovaram a adequação de dois modelos explicativos: (1) o modelo explicativo Preconceito sexual/ Valores → Aceitação da homoparental → Aceitação do contato homoparental [²/gl = 3,77, GFI = 0,99, AGFI = 0,93, CFI = 0,98, RMR = 0,02 e RMSEA = 0,09 (0,023 – 0,163)] e (2) o modelo explicativo Preconceito sexual/ Valores → Oposição homoparental → Rejeição do contato homoparental [²/gl = 4,46, GFI = 0,98, AGFI = 0,91, CFI = 0,97, RMR = 0,01 e RMSEA = 0,10 (0,057 – 0,151)]. Finalmente o Estudo 5, objetivou eliminar o componente desejabilidade social e conhecer as atitudes implícitas frente à homoparentalidade e os seus correlatos explícitos. Tratou-se de um estudo quase-experimental com delineamento fatorial do tipo 2x2x3. Contou-se com a participação de 458 indivíduos da população geral, com idade média de 23 anos (DP = 7,6). Estes responderam a um questionário sociodemográficos e a Medidas Explícitas e Implícitas Os resultados indicaram que os arranjos heteroparentais foram considerados mais convencionais do que os arranjos homoparentais, corroborando a hipótese heteronormativa, assim como a influência dos valores normativos. Concluindo, os objetivos da presente tese foram alcançados, referendando o marco teórico que permite identificar fatores que contribuem para explicação das atitudes frente à homoparentalidade, com destaque especial aos valores normativos. Não obstante, propuseram-se estudos futuros que visem contribuir para esta área de interesse.

The upbringing of children by couples of omosexual parents, both male and female, is a rapidly growing phenomenon in many countries, despite some differences due to variable national laws. In front of the numerical increase of new family typologies, their acceptance by the public opinion is very often a critical and this attitude is prevailingly shared also by the experts of mental health, such as psychologists and psychiatrists. Nevertheless, absolutely without any a priori prejudice, the absence of not yet available statistical data in large populations emphasizes the need to explore in depth the possible existence of specific psychological late consequences in young and adult age, in studies devoid of any cultural bias. Considering the children not as objects of the right of a couple to have sons, but as subjects of their own right to receive a well regulated and balanced affective and relational education should be a critical ethical issue.

Attitudes have become increasingly more accepting toward homosexuality, yet negative attitudes toward homosexual parents continue. There appears to be no research specifically examining Australian social work students' attitudes towards homosexuality and homosexual parenting. This article reports on a study of final year social work students in the undergraduate social work programme at one university in the State of Victoria. This study investigated student attitudes to homosexuality, and their knowledge and attitudes toward homosexual parenting as an alternative family unit via the administration of a questionnaire containing a number of scales and questions, some in response to a case vignette involving couples of different sexual orientations (lesbian, gay and heterosexual). It was found that most of the students had liberal attitudes toward homosexuality and homosexual parenting, and had high levels of knowledge about homosexual parenting. Students were generally favourable towards all three couples ...

[en] All of the literature of the sector agrees that gay and lesbian people have adequate parenting skills and that children raised in their midst have a good psychological adaptation. The present work investigates the behavior of a group of lesbian parents raising children with their homosexual parenting.The results show that the most favourable to their decision to become parents reactions come from their friends, including their friends gays and lesbians, more than their family. On the side of families, there is a more positive attitude towards the relationship of lesbians as to the relationship of gays. The study showed that there is a strong link between the support given by friends, including by homosexual friends, a low level of internalized homophobia and a perception of their efficacy as parents. The findings expose the theoretical and clinical research implications., info:eu-repo/semantics/published

L’ensemble de la litterature du secteur s’accorde a dire que les personnes gays et lesbiennes possedent des competences parentales adequates et que les enfants eleves en leur sein ont une bonne adaptation psychologique. Le present travail enquete sur le comportement d’un groupe de parents lesbiennes elevant des enfants face a leur parentalite homosexuelle. Les resultats obtenus montrent que les reactions les plus favorables a leur decision de devenir parents proviennent de leurs amis, notamment de leurs amis gays et lesbiennes, plus que de leur famille. Du cote des familles, on remarque une attitude plus positive vis-a-vis de la parente des lesbiennes que vis-a-vis de la parente des gays. L’etude fait ressortir qu’il existe un lien fort entre le soutien donne par les amis, notamment par les amis homosexuels, un bas niveau d’homophobie interiorisee et une perception elevee de leur efficacite en tant que parents. Les conclusions exposent les implications theoriques et cliniques de cette recherche.

Part of the intellectual and political movement to provide homosexuals equal rights and opportunities under the law extends to homosexuals and bisexuals seeking custody of their biological children after divorce and/or custody of an adopted child. Family courts take into consideration parents' sexual orientation when considering custody decisions. To date, the data based research on children reared by homosexual parents is sparse. A search of the published literature identified fourteen data based studies which addressed some aspect of homosexual parenting and its effects on children. Each study was evaluated according to accepted standards of scientific inquiry. The most impressive finding was that all of the studies lacked external validity, and not a single study represented any sub-population of homosexual parents. Three studies met minimal or higher standards of internal validity, while the remaining eleven presented moderate to fatal threats to internal validity. The conclusion that there are no sig...

The 1986 study of 50 lesbian mothers by Green, et al. may be the most influential concerning homosexual parenting. However, after setting standards for—and noting preliminary evidence of—gender identity confusion in 1980 and 1982, confirmatory findings in 1986 were not included in the report's abstract and conclusions. Numerous discrepancies in different published accounts of this study—including number of subjects and how subjects were matched and analyzed—cannot be reconciled. The earliest reports were not cited in the final report which led to treatment in the literature as separate studies. The inconsistencies between the published accounts are substantive and numerous enough to recommend that the authors issue a complete and detailed report of the study.

The ion debates about the on nature the PaCS of families. in France Particularly have occasioned vexing an has outpouring been the question of opinion a out the nature of families. Particularly ve ng has been the uesti n of the status of same-sex couples. For purposes of inheritance and other legal questions, same-sex partnerships may be recognized as "unions" governed by certain contractual arrangements, but the line has been drawn at calling these unions "families" because of the question of children. All manner of expert testimony has been brought to bear on the matter of "lineage" and "kinship," most of it seeking to prove that there is something either unnatural, culturally deviant, and/or psychologically damaging about children being born to or raised by two parents of the same sex. Some have written of the "right" of children to live in heterosexual families; others have objected to homosexual parenting as a distortion of the facts of nature. Sylviane Agacinski put it this way, "Je ne crois pas qu'il serait bon, pour les enfants a venir, d'instaurer une filiation asexuee ou homosexuelle qui effacerait le fait que tout etre humain est issu d'un homme et d'une femme."1

During the recent decades, the use of new medically assisted procreation techniques allowed to combine homosexuality and homosexual parenting. The lesbians mothers, since the very beginning of their desire for children are often faced with a lack of models and references by the dominance of the heterosexual norm towards the constitution of the couple and the family. In this difficult context in which pins are to be created, this article puts forward a practical support for women living in couple with or wishing children, referring to the structural approach of Salvador Minuchin. The therapist uses his own ingenuity and the one of the family system to capture the internal logic and structure of the family in its unique and unusual features.

The Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health’s (COPACFH) statement on coparent adoption1 has generated unexpected controversy. This statement, which is about children, is intended to support all children’s rights to parenting and legal protections. It has been criticized as too accepting of homosexual parenting and nontraditional lifestyles. A conscious decision was made by the Committee to not attempt to undertake evaluation of adult lifestyles. Rather, we aim to acknowledge that a considerable number of children currently live in families headed by gay and lesbian parents, and that those children have been legally shortchanged. Regardless of differing views about sexual orientation issues, can we not agree that the children of gay and lesbian parents deserve our care and also deserve the same … Address correspondence to Joseph F. Hagan, MD, 410 Shelburne Rd, South Burlington, VT 05401-5039. E-mail: hagan{at}together.net

To the Editor .— The apparent endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics of a parenting role by homosexual singles or couples either by biological birth or adoption is very disturbing to me. If, on the basis of the report by the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, the Academy is proposing a policy of “acceptance” for this phenomenon, I am concerned as well as saddened that there was no apparent consultation or vote by the membership of the Academy. Clearly there is in homosexual parenting a radical departure from the heterosexual “traditional family” model that has been the accepted practice since time immemorial. How is it that the Academy is prepared to …