CO-PARENTING IN HOMOSEXUAL AND HETEROSEXUAL COUPLES: SELF-EFFICACY AND EDUCATIONAL MODELS

Abstract

Structural and relationships changes involving the parental and conjugal axes represent alterations that have challenged the traditional families’ model of a married heterosexual couples and biological children. This article shows the data collected during a fact-finding survey realized between 30 partners of same-sex couples with children and 30 partners of heterosexual couples with children recruited in Sicily. Participants were offered a protocol of instruments for the measurements of perceived conjugal and familiar self-efficacy, the parenting style, and the self-perception of the dynamics in the same-sex parenting in relationship with school institution (ad hoc questionnaire). The aim of this study was to obtain relevant information for a better understanding of same-sex co-parenting within intimate relationships and in the self-perception of itself in the broader social relations. These data reflects the trend of the partners - heterosexual and homosexual- to couples’ flexibility and adaptation, a positive attitude of homosexual parents in social relations that also involves heterosexuals, but it is not minimized the possibility of social aggressive behaviors that may be addressed to the offspring. Homosexual couples detect, in particular, poor preparation of the school to open didactic paths toward the new family scenarios, the differences (gender, ethnic ...), as well as on the education for the respect of human rights. In Italy, in fact, there is still a negative attitude towards homosexuality, and educational programs can deconstruct stereotypes and prejudices regarding homosexual parenting couples with important psychological and social implications.