Introduction to GLBT Family Studies (Haworth Series in GLBT Family Studies)

✍ Scribed by J Jerry Bigner

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 329
• Edition: 1
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

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

Front Cover
An Introduction to GLBT Family Studies
Copyright Page
Contents
About the Editor
Contributors
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I: Glbt Family Issues
Chapter 1. A Process of Change: The Intersection of the GLBT Individual and His or Her Family of Origin
Societal and Familial Constraints
GLBT Awareness and Discovery
The Question of Disclosure
The Process of Change
Conclusion
Chapter 2. Life-Course Social Science Perspectives on the GLBT Family
Life-Course Perspectives and the GLBT Family
From Life-Cycle to Life-Course Family Study
Life-Course Perspectives on Sexual-Minority Families
Conclusion
Chapter 3. Translove: Transgender Persons and Their Families
General Issues
Family-of-Origin Issues
Case Study: A Transwoman (MTF)
Couples’ Issues
Case Study: A Transman (FTM)
Issues Affecting Children
Conclusion
Introductory Transgender Resources
Chapter 4. A Family Matter: When a Spouse Comes Out As Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual
Where We Are
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Spouses
Heterosexual Spouses
Mixed-Orientation Couples
Children of Mixed-Orientation Couples
The Future and How We Might Get There
Chapter 5. Genograms Redrawn: Lesbian Couples Define Their Families
Lesbian Family Relationships
Family Life-Cycle Theory and Genograms
Method
Results
Discussion
Chapter 6. Siblings and Sexual Orientation: Products of Alternative Families or the Ones Who Got Away?
Siblings As a Comparison Group for GLBs: The Studies
Education and Moving Away from the Family of Origin
Relationships, Children, and Division of Labor
Religion and Politics
Which Siblings Become Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Heterosexual?
Chapter 7. Stress and Adaptation Among Families of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth: Research Challenges
Stress and the Discovery of GLB Youths’ Sexual and Gender Identities
Recent Findings Concerning GLB Youth and Their Families
Problems with Research on Familial Reactions to Disclosure of GLB Youths’ Sexual Orientation
A Human Development Model of GLB Youth Development in the Family Context
Directions for Future Research
Part II: Special Issues in GLBT Family Studies
Chapter 8. Polyamory and Gay Men: A Family Systems Approach
Models of Polyamory
Making it Work: Essential Skills
Benefits of Polyamorous Relationships
Understanding Families
Understanding a Polyamorous Gay Male Family
Areas for Future Research
Conclusion
Chapter 9. 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
Background
The Academic Letter
Chapter 10. Same-Sex Marriage and Legalized Relationships: I Do, or Do I?
Heterosexual Marriage As a Model for Same-Sex Marriage?
Same-Sex Marriage
Do Lesbians and Gay Men Want to Marry?
Other Data on Legalized Same-Sex Relationships
Future Directions
Chapter 11. Same-Sex Marriage: The Difficult Road Ahead
Part III: Clinical Issues in GLBT Family Studies
Chapter 12. Sex, Drugs, Rock ’N’ Roll . . . and Children: Redefining Male Couples in the Twenty-First Century
A Systemic Perspective
Case Illustration: Mark and Fred
A Work in Progress
Conclusion
Chapter 13. Achieving Competent Family Practice with Same-Sex Parents: Some Promising Directions
The Requirements of Ethical Practice
Family Systems Theory: Role Differentiation in Same-Sex Parents
Structural Social Work
Ecological Systems Perspective
Queer Theory
Weaving Together Strands of Theory: Role Differentiation and Queer Parents
Clinical Implications
Chapter 14. Listening to Lesbian Couples: Communication Competence in Long-Term Relationships
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion and Recommendations
Index