Co-parenting involves parents who together take on the socialization, care, and upbringing of children for whom they share equal responsibility.
[7] Post-separation co-parenting describes a situation where two parents work together to raise a child after they are divorced, separated, or never having lived together.
[10] Subject to the laws of their nation of residence, more than two adults may enter into a formal agreement to care for a child together even though only two of them may be granted official legal custody in most countries.
[12] In one case, a family of four parents consisting of a gay and a lesbian couple care for their child based on a formal agreement.
[13] This principle of co-parenting was established in Italy at the beginning of the 21st century by the Associations of Separated Parents that for years has been fighting against a culture, a social mindset, and a legislative and legal system that is discriminating among genders[citation needed] in the conflicts between former partners, especially when children are involved.