Study to hear from separated same-sex parents
With marriage equality dominating much of the political and media chatter of late, a groundbreaking study by Australian researchers hopes to explore the experiences of gay and lesbian parents whose relationships have ended despite having had children together.
La Trobe University sociologist Luke Gahan said the study would hopefully shed light on the unique issues faced by same-sex parents and their families following the end of a relationship.
“Campaigns for same-sex marriage and parenting rights often focus on happy couple stories in their effort to show same-sex relationships to be worthy of marriage or having children,” Gahan said.
“Subsequently separated parents may feel stigmatised and embarrassed and refrain from sharing their unique experiences.”
Same-sex parents have historically not had equal recognition as separated co-parents, and in some instances they still do not, while Gahan adds that there has yet to be any research on whether legal changes to ensure same-sex couples are treated in a similar way to heterosexual couples in the family court system are working, or appropriate for, same-sex couples.
“This is important because even in places where laws protect both same-sex parents, culture and attitudes often lag behind – leaving some same-sex parents vulnerable or unrecognised as a parent before and after separation.
“Some families begin with two mums and two dads. If either of these couples break up, the entire family unit experiences separation,” Gahan said.
“Co-parenting may be end up being shared over three or four households and parents may form new relationships potentially adding more parents into the family.”
Researchers are interested in hearing of the experiences of same-sex parents after separation, with participants having had at least one child while within a same-sex relationship which has now ended. Participants do not necessarily have to still be parenting or have custody of their child.
Interviews will be conducted with separated parents in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. To take part or for more information, contact Luke Gahan on (03) 9385 5137 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- Tags: Brisbane, Children, Couples, Family, La Trobe University, Luker Gahan, Marriage Equality, Melbourne, Parents, Relationships, Research, Same-Sex Marriage, Separation, Study, SX, Sydney
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Serkan Ozturk
Serkan Ozturk became a journalist after failing as a minor poet. Known amongst some circles as the ‘Van Wilder of the High Arts’ it took Serkan almost a decade of studying at three of Sydney’s major universities before finally attaining a single, much vaunted Communication degree from that bastion of Brutalist architecture – the University of Technology, Sydney.
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