An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies

by Bigner,J Jerry

• ISBN13: 9780789024978
• ISBN10: 0789024977
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2006-07-05
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Gain a better understanding of the special therapeutic issues and needs of GLBT families In terms of research, GLBT families constitute a neglected segment of society. Gender and sexual orientation can make the issues in family studies even more difficult to work through. An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies tackles a challenging research topic by presenting noted experts examining the latest information on the newest type of family studies--GLBT families. This groundbreaking text explores a wide range of unique problems faced by nontraditional families, as well as issues common to traditional families that need to be approached with a GLBT perspective. Though homophobia and heterosexism constantly influence GLBT families, these factors do not necessarily overwhelm the dynamic of their basic family unit. Issues present in many traditional families are found when researching GLBT families. An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies spotlights the issues, research, and future trends that provide a foundation for the study of GLBT families. This breakthrough volume focuses not only on the obvious unique factors within GLBT families, but also on the elements encountered within families that are present regardless of sexual orientation and gender, such as physical and emotional abuse. Expert contributors present research findings on family pattern issues relating to parent-child relationships, child development, sibling relationships, family structure, intimate relationships, stepfamilies, alternative family structures, and extended family relationships. Each chapter is extensively referenced and offers possibilities for further research. An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies discusses family studies topics such as: the impact of the family of origin life course perspective transgender identity issues and the family when a spouse comes out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual a study of lesbian couples adapting genogram techniques in therapy research comparing siblings of different sexual orientations studies of patterns of responses to parental reactions to learning their offspring are gay, lesbian, or bisexual the polyamory structure to some gay men's familial relationships same-sex marriages and legalized relationships gay male couples' roles in today's society the impact of heterosexism on working with same-sex relationships research on long-term lesbian couples An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies is a valuable reference for academic researchers in family studies, marriage and family therapy, social work, and counseling; educators, upper division undergraduate and graduate students; and anyone interested in better understanding GLBT family studies.

Table of Contents

About the Editor	xi
Contributors	xiii
Foreword	xvii
William J. Doherty
Acknowledgments	xxv
Introduction	1	(4)
Jerry J. Bigner
PART I: GLBT FAMILY ISSUES
A Process of Change: The Intersection of the GLBT Individual and His or Her Family of Origin	5	(18)
Colleen M. Connolly
Societal and Familial Constraints	6	(2)
GLBT Awareness and Discovery	8	(2)
The Question of Disclosure	10	(2)
The Process of Change	12	(2)
Conclusion	14	(9)
Life-Course Social Science Perspectives on the GLBT Family	23	(28)
Bertram J. Cohler
Life-Course Perspectives and the GLBT Family	25	(1)
From Life-Cycle to Life-Course Family Study	26	(4)
Life-Course Perspectives on Sexual-Minority Families	30	(10)
Conclusion	40	(11)
Translove: Transgender Persons and Their Families	51	(16)
Gianna E. Israel
General Issues	51	(4)
Family-of-Origin Issues	55	(2)
Case Study: A Transwoman (MTF)	57	(1)
Couples' Issues	58	(3)
Case Study: A Transman (FTM)	61	(1)
Issues Affecting Children	62	(2)
Conclusion	64	(1)
Introductory Transgender Resources	64	(3)
A Family Matter: When a Spouse Comes Out As Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual	67	(22)
Amity P. Buxton
Where We Are	70	(1)
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Spouses	71	(1)
Heterosexual Spouses	72	(6)
Mixed-Orientation Couples	78	(3)
Children of Mixed-Orientation Couples	81	(3)
The Future and How We Might Get There	84	(5)
Genograms Redrawn: Lesbian Couples Define Their Families	89	(28)
Mary Swainson
Fiona Tasker
Lesbian Family Relationships	89	(2)
Family Life-Cycle Theory and Genograms	91	(2)
Method	93	(3)
Results	96	(13)
Discussion	109	(8)
Siblings and Sexual Orientation: Products of Alternative Families or the Ones Who Got Away?	117	(18)
Esther D. Rothblum
Kimberly F. Balsam
Sondra E. Solomon
Rhonda J. Factor
Siblings As a Comparison Group for GLBs: The Studies	119	(2)
Education and Moving Away from the Family of Origin	121	(4)
Relationships, Children, and Division of Labor	125	(2)
Religion and Politics	127	(1)
Which Siblings Become Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Heterosexual?	128	(7)
Stress and Adaptation Among Families of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: Research Challenges	135	(26)
Anthony R. D'Augelli
Stress and the Discovery of GLB Youths' Sexual and Gender Identities	136	(2)
Recent Findings Concerning GLB Youth and Their Families	138	(6)
Problems with Research on Familial Reactions to Disclosure of GLB Youths' Sexual Orientation	144	(1)
A Human Development Model of GLB Youth Development in the Family Context	145	(7)
Directions for Future Research	152	(9)
PART II: SPECIAL ISSUES IN GLBT FAMILY STUDIES
Polyamory and Gay Men: A Family Systems Approach	161	(22)
Michael Bettinger
Models of Polyamory	162	(2)
Making it Work: Essential Skills	164	(3)
Benefits of Polyamorous Relationships	167	(1)
Understanding Families	168	(2)
Understanding a Polyamorous Gay Male Family	170	(9)
Areas for Future Research	179	(1)
Conclusion	180	(3)
Coming Out As ``We 3'': Using Personal Ethnography and the Case Study to Assess Relational Identity and Parental Support of Gay Male, Three-Partner Relationships	183	(20)
Eric Aoki
Background	183	(1)
The Academic Letter	184	(19)
Same-Sex Marriage and Legalized Relationships: I Do, or Do I?	203	(12)
Esther D. Rothblum
Heterosexual Marriage As a Model for Same-Sex Marriage?	204	(1)
Same-Sex Marriage	205	(2)
Do Lesbians and Gay Men Want to Marry?	207	(2)
Other Data on Legalized Same-Sex Relationships	209	(2)
Future Directions	211	(4)
Same-Sex Marriage: The Difficult Road Ahead	215	(8)
Vincent J. Samar
PART III: CLINICAL ISSUES IN GLBT FAMILY STUDIES
Sex, Drugs, Rock `N' Roll... and Children: Redefining Male Couples in the Twenty-First Century	223	(22)
David E. Greenan
Gil Tunnell
A Systemic Perspective	224	(2)
Case Illustration: Mark and Fred	226	(14)
A Work in Progress	240	(1)
Conclusion	240	(5)
Achieving Competent Family Practice with Same-Sex Parents: Some Promising Directions	245	(26)
Jacky Coates
Richard Sullivan
The Requirements of Ethical Practice	246	(1)
Family Systems Theory: Role Differentiation in Same-Sex Parents	247	(6)
Structural Social Work	253	(2)
Ecological Systems Perspective	255	(2)
Queer Theory	257	(2)
Weaving Together Strands of Theory: Role Differentiation and Queer Parents	259	(6)
Clinical Implications	265	(6)
Listening to Lesbian Couples: Communication Competence in Long-Term Relationships	271	(26)
Colleen M. Connolly
Mary Kay Sicola
Methods	275	(2)
Results	277	(7)
Discussion	284	(4)
Conclusion and Recommendations	288	(9)
Index	297