Welcome to Episode 4 of the Bi-Polycast. Anthony chats to Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli who has gained national and international recognition as a writer, researcher, lecturer and consultant in the issues of cultural diversity, gender diversity, sexual diversity, family diversity, HIV/AIDS, and social diversity in health and education, with a specific focus on adolescence and young people. Maria shares findings from an Australian focus group of 13 polyfamily participants and presents an overview of previous research on polyparenting. Maria’s research highlights issues of polyparents being “out” to their children, relations with extended families and friendship networks, and navigating broader formal and informal societal systems and structures which can be some of the greatest concerns for polyparents. Maria adds that shared child rearing is creating new forms of kinship structures that are beneficial to both children and adults in polyfamilies.

To download this very important piece of poly parenting research, go to https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278712088_These_Are_Our_Children_Polyamorous_Parenting.