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Introduction <p>Over recent decades, family pathways&#xa0;to parenthood have diversified due to sociopolitical changes. Adoption has become increasingly accessible to&#xa0;LGBTQ+ individuals and same-gender couples. However, inconsistencies in legal frameworks and institutional&#xa0;practices continue to shape unequal adoption experiences across countries.</p> Methods <p>This study draws on data&#xa0;about socio-demographic characteristics, family structures, adoption types from a sample of 180 LGBTQ+ adoptive&#xa0;parents across six countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United States). Data&#xa0;were collected between 2020 and 2023 as part of a research project examining adoption experiences. A comparative&#xa0;analytical approach was used to identify systemic barriers and institutional practices.</p> Results <p>Adoptive parents&#xa0;were on average 44.96 years old (SD = 7.44). Women comprised 51.7% of the sample, with higher representation in&#xa0;the United States (72.8%). Family composition differed by region, with gay male couples predominant in Europe&#xa0;(81.8%) and lesbian couples in the United States (59.6%). Children were older at assessment in the United States (M&#xa0;= 11.17) than in Europe (M = 8.53) and entered families later. Domestic and open adoptions were more frequent in&#xa0;the United States, whereas intercountry and closed adoptions were more common in Europe.</p> Conclusions <p>Legal&#xa0;recognition alone is insufficient to ensure equitable adoption experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals. Institutional&#xa0;practices and professional norms continue to mediate access to adoption in ways that reproduce inequality.</p> Policy&#xa0;Implications <p>Findings underscore the need for stronger policy enforcement, mandatory non-discrimination&#xa0;standards for adoption agencies, and specialized training for adoption professionals. Policymakers should integrate&#xa0;empirical evidence into adoption legislation and develop accountability mechanisms to ensure inclusive, equitable&#xa0;adoption systems across national contexts.</p>

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Sociopolitical Contexts of Adoption for Same-gender Couples and Single LGBTQ+ Parents in the United States of America and Europe: A Frame for a Cross-National Research Project

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月19日

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  • Salvatore D’Amore,
  • Olivier Vecho,
  • Alessio Gubello,
  • Sara Bressanutti,
  • Samantha L. Tornello

摘要

Introduction

Over recent decades, family pathways to parenthood have diversified due to sociopolitical changes. Adoption has become increasingly accessible to LGBTQ+ individuals and same-gender couples. However, inconsistencies in legal frameworks and institutional practices continue to shape unequal adoption experiences across countries.

Methods

This study draws on data about socio-demographic characteristics, family structures, adoption types from a sample of 180 LGBTQ+ adoptive parents across six countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and the United States). Data were collected between 2020 and 2023 as part of a research project examining adoption experiences. A comparative analytical approach was used to identify systemic barriers and institutional practices.

Results

Adoptive parents were on average 44.96 years old (SD = 7.44). Women comprised 51.7% of the sample, with higher representation in the United States (72.8%). Family composition differed by region, with gay male couples predominant in Europe (81.8%) and lesbian couples in the United States (59.6%). Children were older at assessment in the United States (M = 11.17) than in Europe (M = 8.53) and entered families later. Domestic and open adoptions were more frequent in the United States, whereas intercountry and closed adoptions were more common in Europe.

Conclusions

Legal recognition alone is insufficient to ensure equitable adoption experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals. Institutional practices and professional norms continue to mediate access to adoption in ways that reproduce inequality.

Policy Implications

Findings underscore the need for stronger policy enforcement, mandatory non-discrimination standards for adoption agencies, and specialized training for adoption professionals. Policymakers should integrate empirical evidence into adoption legislation and develop accountability mechanisms to ensure inclusive, equitable adoption systems across national contexts.