Abstract
Non-normative sexual orientations question the binary and hierarchically organised image of men–women relations. The main goal of this research was to explore the role of gender identity and gender-roles attitudes in predicting attitudes towards same-sex parenting. An additional goal was to assess whether socio-demographic variables such as age, education, religiosity and political preferences – which proved to be relevant in predicting homonegativity – would also predict attitudes towards same-sex parenting. Finally, the authors explored whether gender identity and gender-role attitudes bore an effect on attitudes towards same-sex parenting after controlling for the socio-demographic variables. An online survey with 992 heterosexual participants of both genders (70% women) aged 18 to 79 years was conducted in Croatia in 2014. Participants expressed less support for gay than for lesbian parenting, with female participants expressing more positive attitudes towards both gay and lesbian parenting than male ones. Expectedly, same-sex parenting was more supported by less religious and politically more left-oriented participants, as well as those who cohabitate compared to married participants. Age and education, but also gender identity, did not prove predictive. However, the expectations about the role of traditional gender norms were confirmed. Participants with more traditional gender-role attitudes, as well as those who are parents themselves, expressed more negative attitudes towards same-sex parenting.
Highlights
An additional goal was to assess whether socio-demographic variables such as age, education, religiosity and political preferences – which proved to be relevant in predicting homonegativity – would predict attitudes towards same-sex parenting
The authors explored whether gender identity and gender-role attitudes bore an effect on attitudes towards same-sex parenting after controlling for the socio-demographic variables
Since December 2013, when a popular referendum on the constitutional definition of marriage was held in Croatia and highlighted the two opposite ways Croatian citizens thought about sexual minorities and their rights, some progress has been made in the formal legal acts that regulate the status of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) persons in Croatia
Summary
Since December 2013, when a popular referendum on the constitutional definition of marriage was held in Croatia and highlighted the two opposite ways Croatian citizens thought about sexual minorities and their rights, some progress has been made in the formal legal acts that regulate the status of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) persons in Croatia. The notable exception is the right of same-sex couples to provide foster care or adopt children, which has recently evoked a large public debate During this debate, it became obvious that a significant number of Croatian citizens are still willing to discriminate against others based on their sexual orientation (Ljubičić, 2015). The study showed that even university students, who are presumed to represent the most liberal and tolerant, well-educated part of a society (Gelbal and Duyan, 2006; Jäckle and Wenzelburger, 2015), had different opinions about various civil rights and that they had some reservations about giving LGB persons the same rights enjoyed by heterosexual ones These reservations were most expressed concerning the marital and parental rights of gays and lesbians. A recent public debate on not allowing adoption to same-sex couples together with the findings from our abovementioned study motivated us to conduct an online survey in order to explore the determinants of attitudes of Croatian citizens towards gay and lesbian rights to become parents
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