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Lesbian & Gay Parenting
Theoretical & Conceptual
Examinations Related to
Lesbian & Gay Parenting
Bigner, J. J., & Bozett, F. W. (1990). Parenting by gay fathers. In F. W. Bozett & M. B. Sussman (Eds.), Homosexuality and family relations (pp. 155-176). New York: Harrington Park Press.
Suggests that the process of identity development for homosexual (HS) fathers requires a reconciliation of two polar extremes. Since each identity (heterosexual and HS) essentially is unacceptable to the opposite culture, the task for these men is to integrate both identities into the cognitive class called gay father. Discussion focuses on motivations for fatherhood, the sociological hypothesis of low status integration for gay fathers, relationships between gay fathers and their children, parenting abilities, and issues of disclosure. Implications for educators, family law professionals, and therapists are examined, as well as ramifications for HS men who serve in caretaking roles. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2004 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.)
Jones, B. M., & MacFarlane, K. (Eds.). (1980). Sexual abuse of children: Selected readings. Washington, DC: National Center on Child Abuse & Neglect.
Selected readings on various aspects of child sexual abuse and treatment of abused children and their parents are provided for use as a resource for professionals and concerned citizens interested in community treatment programs. Topics addressed include developmental sexuality, the sexually abused child in the emergency room, venereal disease in children, reactions of the child and family to sexual abuse, literature concerning incest, the nature and treatment of male sex offenders, medical-legal aspects of sexual acts against children, humanistic treatment of father-daughter incest, means of advocating for sexually abused children in the criminal justice system, a clinical view of sexually abused children, use of art therapy in the diagnosis and treatment of sexually abused children, child prostitution and child pornography, family and couple interactional patterns in cases of father-daughter incest, adult sexual orientation and attraction to underage persons, sexual misuse and the family, writings by victims of incest, and aspects of prevention and protection. Appendices include hospital protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of child sexual abuse, guidelines for parents concerning child sexual abuse, and a directory of child sexual abuse treatment programs. (Reprinted with permission of the National Clearinghouse on Childhood Abuse and Neglect. Copyright © 1980. All rights reserved.)
Martin, A. (1993). The lesbian and gay parenting handbook: Creating and raising our families. New York: HarperCollins.
No abstract available.
Martin, A. (1998). Clinical issues in psychotherapy with lesbian-, gay-, and bisexual-parented families. In C. J. Patterson & A. R. D'Augelli (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities in families: Psychological perspectives (pp. 270-291). New York: Oxford University Press.
(From the chapter) Families parented by lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals seek psychotherapy for a variety of difficulties that have nothing specifically to do with their sexual orientation. Yet they also have unique issues, circumstances, and problems that may be the focus of treatment or that may form the lens through which other problems are experienced. It behooves the therapist to become familiar with the myriad issues that are specific to such families in order to work in an ethical and effective manner. This chapter considers questions of family membership as they apply in lesbian- and gay-headed homes. How is it determined who is and who is not a member of such a family? Next, issues of families with heterosexual beginnings are discussed. Parents who had children after identifying themselves as gay or lesbian, including the influence on family dynamics of the complicated legal and social pressures with which these families are coping, are addressed. Clinical examples from the author's practice are cited. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2002 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.) Return to top
McCandlish, B. (1987). Against all odds: Lesbian mother family dynamics. In F. W. Bozett (Ed.), Gay and lesbian parents (pp. 23-38). New York: Praeger.
(From the chapter) lesbian family formation / psychotherapeutic treatment of lesbian mother families / family dynamics / developmental changes / enormous obstacles in custody battles artificial insemination / biological mother / nonbiological parents / legal difficulties / psychiatric problems / gender dysfunction. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2002 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.)
Patterson, C. J. (1994b). Lesbian and gay couples considering parenthood: An agenda for research, service, and advocacy. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 1, 33-55.
When Americans reflect on what matters most to them, they often point to relationships with families and children. Historically, lesbian and gay Americans have faced legal, economic, and other forms of discrimination against their family relationships in general, and against their relationships with children in particular. Despite this history of discrimination, however, lesbians and gay men continue to form families, and many either are or wish to become parents. In this paper, I discuss special needs of lesbian and gay couples that are considering parenthood, describe innovative services that have been developed to meet these needs, and identify directions for future research, service, and advocacy. Much work remains to be done before lesbian and gay Americans will be able to seek parenthood unencumbered by the burdens of prejudice, discrimination, and institutionalized heterosexism. (Reprinted with permission of the Haworth Press Inc. Copyright © 1994. All rights reserved.)
Patterson, C. J. (1994c). Lesbian and gay families. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 3, 62-64.
Outlines some of the principal issues and findings concerning lesbian and gay (LAG) families in the areas of individuals' families of origin, couple relationships, and LAG parenthood. Issues addressed include coming out, the similarities and differences between LAG couples and heterosexual couples in their relationships and in parenting, and the problems that LAG family members experience within their heterosexual families. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2002 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.)
Patterson, C. J., & Chan, R. W. (1996). Gay fathers and their children. In R. P. Cabaj & T. S. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of homosexuality and mental health (pp. 371-393). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc.
(From the chapter) gay fatherhood has emerged into public awareness and brought questions / who are gay fathers, and how do they become parents / what kind of parents do gay men make, and how do their children develop / what special challenges and stresses do gay fathers and their children face in daily life, and how do they cope with them / what can acquaintance with gay fathers and their children offer to the understanding of parenthood, child development, and family life / although research literatures bearing on such questions are quite new and relatively sparse, existing studies address some issues raised by the existence of gay fathers. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2002 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.) Return to top
Pennington, S. (1987). Children of lesbian mothers. In F. W. Bozett (Ed.), Gay and lesbian parents (pp. 58-74). New York: Praeger.
(From the chapter) normalcy of these children / sex-role socialization / gender identity / accomplishment of developmental tasks / intelligence / reaction to father absence / parental separation and divorce marital / parenting status / disclosure and its ramifications / relationship issues / custody / societal attitudes in general / implications for professionals / suggestions for research. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2002 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.)
Perrin, E. C. (1998). Children whose parents are lesbian or gay. Contemporary Pediatrics, 15, 113-130.
No abstract available.
Perrin, E. C., & the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. (2002). Technical report: Coparent or second-parent adoption by same-sex parents. Pediatrics, 109, 341-344.
A growing body of scientific literature demonstrates that children who grow up with one or two gay and/or lesbian parents fare as well in emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as do children whose parents are heterosexual. Children's optimal development seems to be influenced more by the nature of the relationships and interactions within the family unit than by the particular structural form it takes. (PsycINFO Database Record. Copyright © 2002 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved.)
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