Contrasting Opinions about Children Adoption by Heterosexual and Homosexual Couples

Abstract

Despite the seemingly favorable context and growing recognition regarding adoption by same-sex couples by the Brazilian legal system, these factors do not allow us to rightfully infer that prejudice and discrimination against homosexuals are decreasing in this country. Considering that, this study aimed to contrast opinions about adoption by infertile heterosexual and same-sex couples in a sample of 484 Brazilian adults (mean age = 26.6; SD = 8.31, 62.0% women). Data were collected by means of a demographic questionnaire and two semi-structured questions, presenting adoption in two different scenarios: by either homosexual or infertile heterosexual couples. From a descending hierarchical classification analysis performed using the Iramuteq software, five classes for the aforementioned scenarios were identified: infertile heterosexual (aggravating factors, normal development, education, solidarity, and responsibility) and homosexual couples (prejudice, opposition, favorable environment, loving home, and child development). The results indicate different agreement/disagreement patterns regarding the adopting couple parental configuration, whereby same-sex adoption implied an opposition response pattern whereas infertile heterosexual adoption resulted in more evident favorable positions. These results are discussed in the light of the implications arising from the social norms of heterosexist and cissexist systems, highlighting the importance of legal instruments such as governmental laws that guarantee the civil rights of the homosexual population in Brazil.

Keywords:
Adoption; Children; Same-sex parenting; Opinion surveys