The transition to parenthood for lesbian couples: The creation and construction of roles and identities

While a literature on the mental health of lesbian mothers is beginning to emerge, no study to date has prospectively examined lesbian women\u27s mental health in the context of transitioning to parenthood for the first time. This dissertation explores the transition to parenthood in a sample of lesbian couples who are becoming mothers for the first time, with a special focus on how the division of labor and women\u27s roles change over time. Thirty-four couples (29 inseminating, 5 adopting) were interviewed, at two time points (before the birth of their child, and three months postnatally). I conducted in-depth interviews with both partners, and all participants filled out a series of questionnaires at both time points. The division of paid and unpaid labor, women\u27s feelings about their own and their partner\u27s work-family roles, and women\u27s ideas and feelings about motherhood, were assessed. Biological motherhood was explored as a potential shaping variable with regard to parental roles. Results revealed that the division of housework changed little across the transition to parenthood, although some couples reported that the nonbiological mother tended to perform a larger share of household tasks postnatally. Biological mothers performed a greater proportion of child care tasks postnatally. Both biological mothers and nonbiological mothers tended to reduce their hours in paid employment as a means of handling the demands of child care and avoiding total specialization of roles (e.g., one woman staying home, one woman working full-time). Postnatally, the majority of women felt that being a parent was their most important role in the family, and for most women, being a mother became a salient aspect of their identity—at least as salient as their identity as a lesbian. The majority of women felt that biological motherhood had not defined their parental roles, and these women reported a number of strategies they had employed (e.g., spending equal amounts of time in child care, establishing special routines with their child) in an effort to resist the primacy of biological motherhood. More research on the transition to parenthood among lesbian couples is needed, with particular focus on the needs and issues that arise for the nonbiological mother

Parent-child conversations about legal inequalities in gay- and lesbian-parent families in Florida

Due to legal restrictions on same-sex relationships and parenting, same-sex parents have the added responsibility of teaching their children how to function in a heteronormative society where their family status is devalued and, in some places, discriminated against through legislation. The current study uses qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of 22 same-sex adoptive parents regarding how they discuss legal discrimination with their children (age range = seven months to 18 years; M = six years, 10 months). Eight parents (36%) reported talking to their children; the remainder (n = 14; 64%) reported that they did not engage in conversations, typically due to their children\u27s age. Participants who engaged in discussions with their children named a variety of reasons for doing so, some of which are consistent with the racial socialization literature: namely, preparation for bias and fostering pride. Several themes emerged that appear to be unique to same-sex adoptive parents. For example, some parents described using the discussions to ignite their children\u27s interest in political or social activism. This study takes a first step in highlighting the reasons why same-sex parents engage their children in discussion about legal discrimination and point to areas for future research

Sampling richness and qualitative integrity: Challenges for research with families

Sampling is one of the most difficult and contentious aspects of qualitative research design. There are few guidelines for sampling decisions or for understanding saturation in qualitative family research. The authors frame the problematic of data quality in the selection of units of analysis and observation and consider how to enhance sample richness. They outline considerations for data quantity and sample size as well as case- and variable-based approaches. With multiple examples from recent and classic studies to illustrate the consequences of sampling decisions, they explore links between saturation and validity. Finally, they encourage researchers to craft a coherent statement on qualitative integrity to demonstrate how their sampling decisions are rooted in epistemology, theory, and richness and quality of data

What changed when the gay adoption ban was lifted? Perspectives of lesbian and gay parents in Florida

This exploratory, qualitative study examined the perspectives of 22 lesbian and gay parents (15 female and seven male) who were residents of Florida while the state\u27s gay adoption ban was in effect and who had adopted or were in the process of adopting a child. Participants were interviewed about their experiences before and after the lifting of the gay adoption ban, which occurred in 2010. Participants described numerous negative consequences of the ban, including the inability to adopt foster children and the legal invisibility of one partner\u27s parental status (e.g., among lesbian couples who had become parents via donor insemination). Parents described various positive changes that occurred in their families once the ban was lifted, such as a profound sense of relief for parents and their children, as well as legal recognition of both partners as parents. Our findings highlight the negative consequences of discriminatory legislation on lesbian/gay-parent families, as well as some subsequent positive effects once such legislation is removed. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Reconsidering the LGBT Climate Inventory: Understanding support and hostility for LGBTQ employees in the workplace

Workplace climate matters significantly for lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or other sexual minority (LGBQ) employees, given that the presence of workplace hostility or support can affect well-being. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Climate Inventory (LGBTCI) is a measure of workplace climate for LGBQ individuals, intended to capture the full range of workplace climate from hostility to support. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence that the recommended scoring approach of the LGBTCI needs to be reconsidered. We used latent class analysis to estimate classes of work-related experiences in our sample of 442 LGBQ employees who completed the LGBTCI. A four-class solution fit the data best. Characteristics of each class were identified and consequently labeled: supportive work climate, tolerant work climate, ambiguous work climate, and hostile work climate. Findings suggest that a more accurate measure of workplace climate would include independent scales for support and hostility

Seeking to Adopt in Florida: Lesbian and Gay Parents Navigate the Legal Process

Utilizing interview data from 22 lesbian and gay parents in Florida, the current exploratory study examined participants’ experiences navigating the legal and social service systems after the repeal of the Florida ban on gay adoption. Participants reported both positive and negative experiences in seeking out lawyers (e.g., some attorneys were accommodating and knowledgeable about gay adoption; others demonstrated discomfort about working with same-sex couples), working with social service agencies in an effort to adopt, and interfacing with the judicial system. This study furthers our knowledge of the lingering effects of discriminatory laws even after such laws have been formally removed, and holds implications for social workers and other practitioners who seek to support lesbian and gay parents and prospective parents as they adjust to the removal of antigay legislation (e.g., regarding marriage or adoption). Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for ensuring that legal and social service practitioners keep up with the rapid pace of legal reform and adapt their practices accordingly

Intimate relationship challenges in early parenthood among lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples adopting via the child welfare system

Little research has examined the transition to parenthood among couples who adopt through the child welfare system. The current qualitative study of 84 individuals within 42 couples (17 lesbian, 13 gay, and 12 heterosexual), who were placed with a child via foster care 3 months earlier, examined perceived changes in their intimate relationship. Findings indicated that, like heterosexual biological-parent couples, some adoptive parents perceived the loss of their partner\u27s undivided attention as stressful to the relationship. Adoption-specific stressors were also identified, including the need to find state-approved child care to facilitate couple time and the legal insecurity of foster-to-adopt placements. Although our findings were similar for heterosexual, lesbian, and gay adoptive parents, same-sex couples cited some additional stressors related to their sexual minority status. Findings have implications for individual, couple, and family practitioners who work with lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parents, particularly during their transition to parenthood. © 2014 American Psychological Association