The Perceptions of New Zealand Lawyers and Social Workers About Children Being Adopted by Gay Couples and Lesbian Couples

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aut.relation.articlenumber520703en_NZ
aut.relation.journalFrontiers in Psychologyen_NZ
aut.relation.volume11en_NZ
aut.researcherDrabsch, Julie
aut.subject.rainbowfamilies
aut.subject.rainbowbias and discrimination
aut.subject.rainbowsocial norms
dc.contributor.authorScherman, Ren_NZ
dc.contributor.authorMisca, Gen_NZ
dc.contributor.authorTan, TXen_NZ
dc.date.accessioned2020-12-15T02:37:32Z
dc.date.available2020-12-15T02:37:32Z
dc.date.copyright2020en_NZ
dc.date.issued2020en_NZ
dc.description.abstractGlobal trends increasingly appear to be legitimizing same-gender relationships, yet international research shows that despite statutory rights to marry—and by extension, adopt children—same-gender couples continue to experience difficulties when trying to adopt. Primary among these barriers are the persistent heteronormative beliefs, which strongly underpin the unfounded myths about parenting abilities of same-gender couples. Such biased beliefs are perpetuated by some adoption professionals who oppose placing children with lesbian or gay couples. In 2013, New Zealand passed the Marriage Equality Act, making it possible for same-gender couples to legally marry—and by extension, adopt. This provided an opportunity to investigate the perceptions of New Zealand professionals about children being placed with same-gender couples, in a country often perceived to be more tolerant of LGBT people. New Zealand social workers and lawyers (an under-studied group)—the professions most likely involved in adoption—were recruited via professional bodies. Because studying perceptions and beliefs on socially sensitive topics are highly susceptible to social desirability, we designed an instrument utilizing multiple methods to assess and corroborate participants’ views about placing children for adoption with couples of the same gender. Administered online and anonymously, the survey included demographic questions, evaluation of negative-meaning and positive-meaning statements, and used a scenario describing a prospective adoptive couple whose gender was ambiguous, in the context of adopting children of varying needs. Overall, the study found that while New Zealand lawyers and social workers (N = 314) had generally favorable views of gay and lesbian adoption, they still reported a preference to see children adopted by heterosexual couples over same-gender couples, within which lesbian and gay couples were preferred equally. Moreover, being religious and politically conservative were characteristics associated with more negative views toward placing children with same-gender couples. We conclude that, despite winning the rights to marry (and adopt as couples), such legislative wins might be merely the first hurdle to be overcome; normalizing same-gender parenting is what needs to happen next. Our study adds to the research focused on adoption professionals in various countries, with the ultimate aim to inform practices and policies supportive of families headed by same-gender couples and formed through adoption.en_NZ
dc.identifier.citationFrontiers in Psychology, 11:520703. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.520703
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpsyg.2020.520703en_NZ
dc.identifier.issn1664-1078en_NZ
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/13880
dc.publisherFrontiers Mediaen_NZ
dc.relation.urihttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.520703/full
dc.rights© 2020 Scherman, Misca and Tan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccessen_NZ
dc.subjectSame-gender parenting
dc.subjectLesbian and gay parents
dc.subjectAdoption by same-gender couples
dc.subjectSame-sex adoption
dc.subjectLawyers
dc.subjectSocial workers
dc.subjectAdoption professionals’ attitudes
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.titleThe Perceptions of New Zealand Lawyers and Social Workers About Children Being Adopted by Gay Couples and Lesbian Couplesen_NZ
dc.typeJournal Article
pubs.elements-id393393
pubs.organisational-data/AUT
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Health & Environmental Science
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Health & Environmental Science/Clinical Sciences
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF/PBRF Health and Environmental Sciences
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF/PBRF Health and Environmental Sciences/HY Public Health & Psychosocial Studies 2018 PBRF
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