Same-Sex Parenting Competence Evaluation: The Role of Gender Essentialism, Political Orientation, and Attribution of Conflict

Chiara Ballone (), Maria Giuseppina Pacilli (), Manuel Teresi, Alessandro Taurino, Daniele Paolini and Stefano Pagliaro
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Chiara Ballone: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Maria Giuseppina Pacilli: Department of Political Science, University of Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
Manuel Teresi: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Alessandro Taurino: Department of Education, Psychology and Communication, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
Daniele Paolini: Department of Human Science, Italian University Line, 50122 Florence, Italy
Stefano Pagliaro: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy

Social Sciences, 2023, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Many countries are discussing LGBT rights, such as the right to wed and create a family. Despite research indicating that there is no reason to deny same-sex couples the right to be parents, negative attitudes persist concerning the quality of parenting by gay and lesbian individuals. The purpose of this study ( N = 436) was to explore the relationship between the attribution of conflict in same-sex couples and the attribution of lower parenting competencies. We examined the attribution of conflict within heterosexual vs. same-sex couples in order to determine if the alleged conflict attributed to the latter can be used in a strategic manner to justify reduced same-sex parenting competence. Results showed a positive association between the attribution of conflict and lower parenting competence, especially in the same-sex couple evaluation. Furthermore, the attribution of conflict appears to be associated with a conservative political stance, gender essentialist beliefs, and homonegativity. A moderated mediation model confirmed our prediction, revealing that right-wing (vs. center and left-wing) participants considered same-sex couples to be less competent as parents due to the attribution of conflict within the couple. Results might be useful to foster the dissemination of reliable information about same-sex parent families.

Keywords: gender essentialism; attitudes towards same-sex parenting; gender-role reliefs; sexual prejudice; attribution of conflict (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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