The multiplication of the choices of procreation and filiation, thanks to the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), has produced the disjunction of sexuality from procreation and birth, the displacement from the sexual dimension of conception to the “ideational/intentional dimension” of the pro-creative purpose. These transformations have produced an expansion of the legal-political dimension in the privacy of people's lives (Strathern, 2005; Rodotà, 2006; Plummer, 2003; Hicks, 2011). In this context, the kinship – such as « relatedness » (Carsten, 2000; 2004) – has gained a new place/platform in public debate as well as in scientific analysis, by highlighting how the interrelationship between public and private domain, and institutional and daily life dimension acts on family choices and filiation construction. This is particular evident for the families considered marginal and not fully recognised as homoparental families. Although in Italy, homoparenthood is not yet legally recognised, over the past decade the desire and choices of parenthood by the younger generation of gays and lesbians have grown (Bonaccorso, 2009; Grilli, 2014, 2016, 2018; Parisi, 2014). Homoparenting families (families where at least one parent defines him/herself as non-heterosexual) have gradually gained visibility in the collective imaginary primarily thanks to the LGBTQI activism. Same-sex family, gay and lesbian parenting have become a kind of arena of symbolic, ideological and political dispute to which different projects of society and of social ties make reference. From the proposal of a law on same-sex unions and domestic partnerships which also included the possibility to adopt the partner’s child, the debate has progressively focused in particular on gay and lesbian parenting. In this article we will consider two different moments of the legislative and social political interventions about family and procreation and the debates related to these events (in the parliament and in the public sphere). Considering the contexts and subjects involved in these debates, we will attempt to show how some themes are recurred in different situations, although with different tones and specifications. Starting from the debates generated by these legislative and institutional acts we will try to reflect on how the juridical system, the heterosexist regime, and in general the homophobic regimes are located in the heart of the construction and representation of family and kinship on the public and personal scene. In addition, we will also try to reflect on the way in which a differentialist reproductive right is produced, based on a distinction between people who can reproduce and people who cannot. An analysis of the different institutional actions and the debates generated by them, allows the making of hierarchical subjectivities from the point of view of reproductive rights.
New relatedness between public and intimate sphere in Italy: an ethnographic analysis of the public and institutional debate on same-sex unions
Rosa Parisi
2020-01-01
Abstract
The multiplication of the choices of procreation and filiation, thanks to the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs), has produced the disjunction of sexuality from procreation and birth, the displacement from the sexual dimension of conception to the “ideational/intentional dimension” of the pro-creative purpose. These transformations have produced an expansion of the legal-political dimension in the privacy of people's lives (Strathern, 2005; Rodotà, 2006; Plummer, 2003; Hicks, 2011). In this context, the kinship – such as « relatedness » (Carsten, 2000; 2004) – has gained a new place/platform in public debate as well as in scientific analysis, by highlighting how the interrelationship between public and private domain, and institutional and daily life dimension acts on family choices and filiation construction. This is particular evident for the families considered marginal and not fully recognised as homoparental families. Although in Italy, homoparenthood is not yet legally recognised, over the past decade the desire and choices of parenthood by the younger generation of gays and lesbians have grown (Bonaccorso, 2009; Grilli, 2014, 2016, 2018; Parisi, 2014). Homoparenting families (families where at least one parent defines him/herself as non-heterosexual) have gradually gained visibility in the collective imaginary primarily thanks to the LGBTQI activism. Same-sex family, gay and lesbian parenting have become a kind of arena of symbolic, ideological and political dispute to which different projects of society and of social ties make reference. From the proposal of a law on same-sex unions and domestic partnerships which also included the possibility to adopt the partner’s child, the debate has progressively focused in particular on gay and lesbian parenting. In this article we will consider two different moments of the legislative and social political interventions about family and procreation and the debates related to these events (in the parliament and in the public sphere). Considering the contexts and subjects involved in these debates, we will attempt to show how some themes are recurred in different situations, although with different tones and specifications. Starting from the debates generated by these legislative and institutional acts we will try to reflect on how the juridical system, the heterosexist regime, and in general the homophobic regimes are located in the heart of the construction and representation of family and kinship on the public and personal scene. In addition, we will also try to reflect on the way in which a differentialist reproductive right is produced, based on a distinction between people who can reproduce and people who cannot. An analysis of the different institutional actions and the debates generated by them, allows the making of hierarchical subjectivities from the point of view of reproductive rights.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
