Paths to Parenting
Most research has been on white, middle-class lesbians.
In the past, most Queer families originated from heterosexual unions.
There are more planned lesbian/gay families today.
Although there are queer nuclear families, there are also families with more than two parents.
Donor insemination is also a common path for lesbian couples.
Most research has been on white, middle-class lesbians.
In the past, most Queer families originated from heterosexual unions.
There are more planned lesbian/gay families today.
Although there are queer nuclear families, there are also families with more than two parents.
Donor insemination is also a common path for lesbian couples.
Family Health
Older children often struggle more in adoptions and bonding.
LGBT parents might offer unique benefits (e.g., adopting a sexually abused girl into a lesbian household).
Older children often struggle more in adoptions and bonding.
LGBT parents might offer unique benefits (e.g., adopting a sexually abused girl into a lesbian household).
Bad parents?
Lesbians are viewed as too masculine to be good moms.
Negative assumptions about trans parenting also hinges on trans people’s gender identities and the negative effects these might have on their children’s psychological development.
Several studies have found no evidence of sexual orientation or inappropriate gender identity in children raised in Queer households. (Although they are more likely to experiment).
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1994480,00.html
Lesbians are viewed as too masculine to be good moms.
Negative assumptions about trans parenting also hinges on trans people’s gender identities and the negative effects these might have on their children’s psychological development.
Several studies have found no evidence of sexual orientation or inappropriate gender identity in children raised in Queer households. (Although they are more likely to experiment).
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1994480,00.html
Hill’s Research
Heterosexual mothers demanded adherence to rules more frequently than lesbian mothers.
Heterosexual mothers demanded adherence to rules more frequently than lesbian mothers.
- Lesbian mothers demonstrated more tolerance of children’s sexuality than did heterosexual mothers.
- Lesbian mothers were more permissive about modesty and sex play.
- Lesbian mothers viewed male and female children as more similar.
- Lesbian mothers expressed more traditionally masculine role expectation of their daughters.
- Lesbian mothers did not place a high value on independence.
Transparenting
Green concluded that children are not adversely affected by their parent’s transsexualism and children’s best interests are served by maintaining contact with their parent.
What do children of transparents call their parent?
Green concluded that children are not adversely affected by their parent’s transsexualism and children’s best interests are served by maintaining contact with their parent.
- The younger children are at the time of transition, the better the quality of their relationship later on.
- The quality of the relationship at the time of transition will predict the quality of the relationship when the children are adults.
What do children of transparents call their parent?
- A third use a nickname or post-transition gender-congruent title (Jenny Boyland’s (above picture) kids call her maddy)
- A third use the original title (but most are embarrassed to do so and may pull away from the parent)
- A third use the parent’s first name.
Parents of transchildren also play a significant role. Parents, siblings, and allies often face significant struggles as they interact in a cisgender-normative society.
Many of the challenges for transkids involve how to handle the school districts. We are beginning to see more and more changes, as the court system continues to show sympathy to transkids. In a decision being hailed as monumental in the struggle for transgender rights, the Colorado Civil Rights Division ruled Monday that a 6-year-old transgender girl, Coy Mathis, must be permitted to use the girls’ bathroom in her school. (Read more)
Gay parenting
The research is getting old and needs to be updated
Gay fathers often feel ostracized by their peers, but homophobia appears to be rare.
Gay men are more likely than heterosexual men to act as sperm donors.
Children might heed help recognizing that their stress may be related to social attitudes of homosexuality, rather than their father’s homosexuality per se.
Gay families also face considerable struggles because their families are not recognized by many states. The below video gives a portrait of how hard it can be for a gay family to adopt or provide a home to foster children.
The research is getting old and needs to be updated
Gay fathers often feel ostracized by their peers, but homophobia appears to be rare.
Gay men are more likely than heterosexual men to act as sperm donors.
Children might heed help recognizing that their stress may be related to social attitudes of homosexuality, rather than their father’s homosexuality per se.
Gay families also face considerable struggles because their families are not recognized by many states. The below video gives a portrait of how hard it can be for a gay family to adopt or provide a home to foster children.
What would you do? Gay family confronted in Texas restaurant:
Comparative research
Often defensive (sympathetic scholars may be just as bad as anti-gay scholars).
Feminist scholars have expressed concern about the ways in which heteronormative understanding of gender and sexuality are reinforced through comparative research.
Difference is somehow a “problem” without knowing if problems are really evident.
E.g., lesbian mothers encourage their sons to have more sensitivity and caring attitudes. Is this bad or just different?
Often defensive (sympathetic scholars may be just as bad as anti-gay scholars).
Feminist scholars have expressed concern about the ways in which heteronormative understanding of gender and sexuality are reinforced through comparative research.
Difference is somehow a “problem” without knowing if problems are really evident.
E.g., lesbian mothers encourage their sons to have more sensitivity and caring attitudes. Is this bad or just different?
Ethnic Minorities
Each cultural group will face unique ways of approaching LGBT issues. These challenges can be intense for cultures where the family plays a primary role in identity.
Each cultural group will face unique ways of approaching LGBT issues. These challenges can be intense for cultures where the family plays a primary role in identity.
Critical Psychology
The regulatory role of psychology: Without intention, we can endorse the status quo.
E.g., Good lesbian mothers keep their sexuality private; bad lesbian mothers express pride in their sexuality.
The regulatory role of psychology: Without intention, we can endorse the status quo.
E.g., Good lesbian mothers keep their sexuality private; bad lesbian mothers express pride in their sexuality.
Movement toward “distinctions.”
Most of the literature on lesbian and gay families starts with the assumption that straight families are good. Anything different from these families is bad. However, this model does not work well for gay families. Because gay families do not tend to have as well defined gender roles, the structure tends to be more egalitarian. This also leads to the children having less clear gendered play (Goldberg, A. E., Kashy, D. A., & Smith, J. Z. (2012). Gender-typed play behavior in early childhood: Adopted children with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parents. Sex Roles, 67(9-10), 503-515. doi:10.1007/s11199-012-0198-3)
Most studies also find that the mental health in children of gay families is similar to the mental health of children in straight families, despite social stigma.
Most of the literature on lesbian and gay families starts with the assumption that straight families are good. Anything different from these families is bad. However, this model does not work well for gay families. Because gay families do not tend to have as well defined gender roles, the structure tends to be more egalitarian. This also leads to the children having less clear gendered play (Goldberg, A. E., Kashy, D. A., & Smith, J. Z. (2012). Gender-typed play behavior in early childhood: Adopted children with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual parents. Sex Roles, 67(9-10), 503-515. doi:10.1007/s11199-012-0198-3)
Most studies also find that the mental health in children of gay families is similar to the mental health of children in straight families, despite social stigma.
Families in the school environment
Families where homes are filled with secrecy have difficulty handling the social merger of school.
Suit claims girl discriminated against for her gay parents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkhCs4vZeQo
There are also organizations specifically designed for LGBT safe sports: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voE5lB38iDc
In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents (30 minutes)
Families where homes are filled with secrecy have difficulty handling the social merger of school.
Suit claims girl discriminated against for her gay parents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkhCs4vZeQo
There are also organizations specifically designed for LGBT safe sports: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voE5lB38iDc
In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents (30 minutes)
Assignment:
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Gay marriage and Federal law
Many students have never seen a fact sheet before. They are usually designed in bullet form or with short paragraphs. Here are a few examples:
What is sexual orientation? http://www.aglp.org/pages/cfactsheets.html
The Obama administration's goals for LGBT citizens: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/06/fact-sheet-working-advance-human-rights-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transge
Your topic is specifically related to federal law and gay marriage, and you should explain how the Supreme Court's ruling affected the current and future issues regarding state rights.
ASSIGNMENT DUE: Gay marriage and Federal law
Many students have never seen a fact sheet before. They are usually designed in bullet form or with short paragraphs. Here are a few examples:
What is sexual orientation? http://www.aglp.org/pages/cfactsheets.html
The Obama administration's goals for LGBT citizens: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/06/fact-sheet-working-advance-human-rights-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transge
Your topic is specifically related to federal law and gay marriage, and you should explain how the Supreme Court's ruling affected the current and future issues regarding state rights.