Children adoption by homosexual couples: A comparative study between law and psychology students

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze and to compare the Social Representations of last year's undergraduate law and psychology students regarding the adoption of children by homosexual couples. For this purpose, the sample was non-probabilistic and intentional and it was composed of 104 students of both genders (56% female and 44% male); 51 students were graduating in Law, and 53 were graduating in Psychology. Closed questioned questionnaires were used. The data was categorized by Bardin's (1977/2000) thematic content analysis. Contrary attitudes were perceived from the students regarding the adoption of children adoption by homosexual couples. Concerning the consequences to the child, contents such as influence on sexual orientation, prejudice and absence of maternal/paternal reference, were raised. The Psychology students mentioned that the adoption could cause psychological disturbances, while the Law students based their Social Representations on moral issues. The necessity for psychosocial and jurist mechanisms that can contribute in elucidating this complex and dynamic subject in contemporary society was evidenced.