Raising children in diversity: Coparenting and same-sex couples' perspectives in Brazil

• Grant number: 24/03855-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Human Development Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Débora de Hollanda Souza
• Grantee: Lucas Henrique Rimoldi de Souza
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50909-8 - INCT 2014: Behavior, Cognition and Teaching (INCT-ECCE): relational learning and symbolic functioning, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/18946-2 - Raising Children in Diverse Family Structures: an international collaboration with the Families, Adoption and Diversity Lab at The University of Kentucky, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Homoparental families are still subject to social controversy and discrimination in Brazil, despite the legal recognition of adoption rights for same-sex couples in 2015. This research project focuses on the theme of homoparental families in the Brazilian context, considering the recent achievement of adoption rights for same-sex couples. Despite legal advancements, questions persist regarding the legitimacy of these families, reflecting deep-seated prejudices. The present study aims to investigate the experiences of parenthood and coparenting in these families, as well as to understand their perspectives on child-rearing. Considering the limited number of studies on coparenting involving same-sex couples in Brazil, the project aims to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in this area. Additionally, it aims to promote respect for diverse family configurations, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and strengthening homoparental families, who still face challenges and stigmatization. Twenty parents from homoparental families will participate in this study, responding to an online questionnaire created on the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire consists of three parts: the first part contains 8 sociodemographic questions; the second part includes the 35-item Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS), and the third part is a 5-item questionnaire on parenting practices. We hope to find very positive results on the quality of parenting provided by our participants and we also hope to contribute to the evidence that, despite prejudiced perspectives, same-sex couples can be excellent parents.