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Social Sciences
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“Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies
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“Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies

A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 13378

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Monica Pivetti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human and Social Sciences, The University of Bergamo, 24100 Bergamo, Italy
Interests: psychology of prejudice; health psychology
Dr. Silvia Di Battista

E-Mail
Guest Editor
Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, 24100 Bergamo, Italy
Interests: psychology of justice; psychology of prejudice; moral foundations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few years, new family configurations have grown more visible, e.g., families headed by LGBT+ parents, stepparents, single parents, and adoptive parents. However, a first-marriage nuclear family structure with two heterosexual parents and their biological children is frequently described as “normal” and “functional” for children’s development. Many studies have found that “non-traditional” parents are perceived as a violation of the assumptions associated with “normal” reproductive and parenting processes, pointing to a dichotomous approach to thinking about proper social roles for which men and women are best-suited. Prejudice also stems from the belief that women and men possess opposite parenting abilities connected to their respective biological sex, allowing them to respond differently to a child’s developmental needs. Negative attitudes are reproduced among heterosexual and cisgender adults, but also among sexual and gender minorities who internalize prejudice, in institutions, or among psychology professionals.

This Special Issue seeks papers addressed to presenting a wide range of attitudes, beliefs, representations, and/or stereotypes toward “non-traditional parents”, including, but not limited to, attitudes toward mother and father roles, expectations concerning children’s outcomes, and the impact of sociocultural and/or other contextual factors. Papers addressing the following topics are also welcome: attitudes toward families created through medically assisted procreation techniques; dehumanization and ontologization of parents; and the effects of sexual prejudice, hetero-cis-normativity, essentialism, and/or gender role beliefs on attitudes toward parents.

The Special Issue is open to papers from a variety of perspectives, including psychological and social perspectives. Both research and review papers are welcome for possible publication. Furthermore, this Special Issue welcomes original studies using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods.

Dr. Monica Pivetti
Dr. Silvia Di Battista
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Social Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • “non-traditional” parents
  • new family forms
  • attitudes
  • beliefs
  • routes to parenthood
  • sexual prejudice
  • hetero-cis-normativity
  • gender role beliefs

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 199 KiB  
Editorial
“Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies
by Silvia Di Battista and Monica Pivetti
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13010002 - 19 Dec 2023
Viewed by 887
Abstract
The term “family” is derived from the Latin word “famĭlia”, that, in turn, originates from “famŭlus” (i [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

19 pages, 1169 KiB  
Article
Paid Parental Leave in Correlation with Changing Gender Role Attitudes
by Gerlinde Mauerer
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(9), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12090490 - 31 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1311
Abstract
In recent decades, several countries have implemented paid parental leave for parents. This paper discusses the correlation between paid parental leave—which in Austria corresponds with receiving childcare benefits—and changing gender role attitudes in different-gender parent couples. It draws on evidence from 42 semi-structured [...] Read more.
In recent decades, several countries have implemented paid parental leave for parents. This paper discusses the correlation between paid parental leave—which in Austria corresponds with receiving childcare benefits—and changing gender role attitudes in different-gender parent couples. It draws on evidence from 42 semi-structured couple interviews (n = 42, 2021–2022) in which couples were asked how they arranged childcare, employment, and household chores and how they reached agreements with employers. The empirical data were first analyzed based on content and then by applying constructivist-informed grounded theory to investigate whether and how gender affected couples’ efforts to reconcile childcare, employment, and household chores and how employers responded to parental arrangements that challenged traditional gender role attitudes. Compared to other countries, Austria offers rather generous childcare benefits, including long leave periods. In addition, Austria has introduced a partnership bonus for parents who share childcare benefits 50:50 or 60:40. However, the number of couples who take advantage of these benefits is still low. In the presented research, parents who succeeded in sharing these childcare benefits were interviewed. All interviewees had taken at least five months of paid parental leave. The data were analyzed using a content-oriented approach and by applying informed grounded theory. The results show that a substantial number of fathers continued working in minor employment while receiving childcare benefits, in line with the prevailing assumption among employers that the man is the main family breadwinner. By contrast, mothers had to strongly insist that they could continue working during the early transition to parenthood. However, on an individual level and in specific domains, Austrian parents were able to successfully overcome traditional gender inequalities in reconciling work and family with the support of the newly implemented childcare benefits. The observation that in Austria, the share of fathers who take the income-related form of parental leave is higher than that of fathers who claim other forms of childcare benefits points to the importance of all parents having access to well-compensated parental leave, regardless of their income level before the birth of a child. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)
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11 pages, 429 KiB  
Article
Same-Sex Parenting Competence Evaluation: The Role of Gender Essentialism, Political Orientation, and Attribution of Conflict
by Chiara Ballone, Maria Giuseppina Pacilli, Manuel Teresi, Alessandro Taurino, Daniele Paolini and Stefano Pagliaro
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(3), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030128 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2192
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)
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12 pages, 356 KiB  
Article
Gender Role Beliefs and Ontologization of Mothers: A Moderated Mediation Analysis
by Silvia Di Battista
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12010048 - 15 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2582
Abstract
This study combines insights from gender studies and studies on dehumanization to show how gender role beliefs influence attitudes and the attribution of ontologization traits to mothers. A convenience sample of 194 Italian participants read one of three vignettes describing a mother (a [...] Read more.
This study combines insights from gender studies and studies on dehumanization to show how gender role beliefs influence attitudes and the attribution of ontologization traits to mothers. A convenience sample of 194 Italian participants read one of three vignettes describing a mother (a heterosexual biological mother, a heterosexual stepmother, or a lesbian stepmother) and her five-year-old son during a moment of disagreement. Participants assessed the depicted mother’s competence and attributed ontologization traits (human and animal traits) to the same mother. Focal differences were found in the perception of competence that was attributed more to the heterosexual biological mother than to the other targets. A full ontologization process was not observed. However, differences were found in the attribution of animal traits, which were attributed more to the depicted heterosexual stepmother than to the other ones. Moderated mediation analyses also showed that participants endorsing moderate and high levels of traditional gender role beliefs rated the heterosexual stepmother as being less competent compared with the heterosexual biological mother by animalizing her. Gendered expectations concerning mothers’ role and parenting can create multiple barriers for women who are—or intend to be—mothers. Attitudinal change should be fostered so that all mothers’ identities and experiences are fully accepted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)
10 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Assessing Triadic Interactions and the Family Alliance among Belgian Lesbian Mothers and Their Donor-Conceived Children
by Salvatore D’Amore, Nicolas Favez and Nicola Carone
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(11), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11110519 - 15 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
Both empirical and clinical evidence with heterosexual parents and their biological children has shown the significant influence of early family interactions on children’s socioemotional and cognitive development during their first years. Yet, very little research has applied family-level assessment to families who are [...] Read more.
Both empirical and clinical evidence with heterosexual parents and their biological children has shown the significant influence of early family interactions on children’s socioemotional and cognitive development during their first years. Yet, very little research has applied family-level assessment to families who are diverse with respect to parents’ gender and sexual orientation, and child’s method of conception. The present cross-sectional study compared 24 lesbian mother families with donor-conceived children and 24 heterosexual parent families with spontaneously conceived children with respect to triadic interaction quality and the family alliance (i.e., emotional and interactional coordination during family activities), as observed during the Lausanne Trilogue Play procedure. All parents were first-time parents, White, cisgender, residing in Belgium, had an upper-middle socioeconomic status, and a child aged 3–74 months (M = 21.00, SD = 17.72). Across family types, triadic interactions demonstrated similar scores in each family alliance dimension, characterized by appropriate levels of participation, organization, focalization, and affect sharing. The results have clinical implications for the use of the LTP as both a clinical assessment and a tool to reinforce and intervene with lesbian coparents. Family psychologists may find the results particularly informative when working to support coparenting relationships among diverse families. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)
14 pages, 1138 KiB  
Article
Attitudes toward “Non-Traditional” Mothers: Examining the Antecedents of Mothers’ Competence Perceptions
by Silvia Di Battista, Marco Salvati, Irem Ertan and Monica Pivetti
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(11), 495; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11110495 - 25 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2112
Abstract
Mothers are the protagonists in a widespread narrative that emphasizes motherhood as prolonged and exclusive attention to children, accompanied by references to natural competence in child-rearing skills. The present research aimed to investigate the linking mechanisms and conditional processes underlying the perception of [...] Read more.
Mothers are the protagonists in a widespread narrative that emphasizes motherhood as prolonged and exclusive attention to children, accompanied by references to natural competence in child-rearing skills. The present research aimed to investigate the linking mechanisms and conditional processes underlying the perception of mothers’ competence. Cisgender heterosexual Italian participants (N = 230) read one of four vignettes describing a situation in which a mother (i.e., heterosexual biological mother, heterosexual stepmothers, lesbian stepmother, and lesbian biological mother) interacts with her two children who had misbehaved. After reading the vignette, the participants rated the depicted mother’s competence and to what extent the children’s misbehaviour was attributable to the mother. Moderated-mediation analyses indicated that all the non-traditional mothers were perceived as being less competent compared to the heterosexual biological mother, by giving them greater responsibility for their children’s misbehaviour, among participants with medium–high levels of traditional gender-role beliefs. Sexual orientation and biology relatedness were not cumulative variables, but intersecting categories creating a unique way to perceive mothers. As the number of non-traditional families grows, negative societal attitudes toward non-traditional parents and their children should be increasingly considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)
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15 pages, 342 KiB  
Article
Fertility Preservation and Parenthood: Perspectives of Trans and Non-Binary Youth and Parents in Portugal
by Jorge Gato and Maria Fonseca
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(10), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11100458 - 09 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1420
Abstract
(1) Background: Fertility preservation allows for trans and non-binary individuals to achieve parenthood using their own gametes. Considering that preservation of gametes can be performed at increasingly earlier ages, it is important to analyze both the attitudes of trans and non-binary youth and [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Fertility preservation allows for trans and non-binary individuals to achieve parenthood using their own gametes. Considering that preservation of gametes can be performed at increasingly earlier ages, it is important to analyze both the attitudes of trans and non-binary youth and their parents towards available family formation options, including fertility preservation. We aimed to explore attitudes toward parenthood and fertility among trans and non-binary youth and parents of trans and non-binary youth. (2) Methods: A questionnaire about fertility attitudes was administered to 33 adolescents and young adults and 27 parents. (3) Results: Trans and non-binary youth showed little interest in resorting to fertility preservation, and both parents and youth mentioned the lack of knowledge about this procedure as the main reason for not performing it. Parents were overall supportive of their children’s decisions, including the choice of different pathways to parenthood other than biological reproduction. (4) Discussion: Health providers should ensure that young trans and non-binary persons and their parents are aware of family formation options, including fertility preservation along with its impact in future genetic parenthood. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue “Non-Traditional” Parents in Contemporary Societies)
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