Biracial lesbian-led adoptive families.

Abstract

The biracial lesbian-led adoptive family is a growing subset of American families. What contextual and systemic dimensions of these families do therapists need to understand to work with them effectively? In most aspects of family functioning, biracial lesbian-led adoptive families are more similar to other subsets of families than different. Concerns for their children's health, safety, education, and future are embedded in the everyday activities and choices of the parents. Yet the multiple group identities that these families reflect simultaneously position them in both dominant and nondominant groups within society. It is the dynamic interaction of these group identities that we wish to highlight here, providing guidance to therapists in approaching these families from a feminist perspective that affirms both the challenges and the strengths these families demonstrate.Feminist therapy, in highlighting the gendered and racial power hierarchies in the larger society, has explored the impact of group identity on individual experience, whether the individual is aware or unaware of this identity. Barrett (1998) asserted the importance of integrating "group identity, from both a minority and majority position, into a personal understanding of oneself and one's connections" (p. 52). For example, we (the authors) benefit from understanding the sexism or misogyny we often encounter as women. At the same time, as White women we benefit from understanding the significant, and sometimes unnoticed (by us), privilege we consistently are awarded because of our White group identity. Other group identities emerge in our relational contexts with our clients, such as professional status, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, or parental status. The relevance of each group identity shifts from one relational context to another. As we practice holding the complex and shifting dimensions of our own many

Integrating feminism and multiculturalism: Scientific fact or science fiction?

“…A recent book on feminist family therapy (Silverstein & Goodrich, 2003) attempted to weave a complexity paradigm into the heart of every chapter. For example, Eldridge and Barrett (2003) discussed the complicated issues involved in working with a biracial, lesbian-led adoptive family. Lesbian couples often adopt children of color or physically challenged children because nontraditional families like lesbian and gay couples are usually not offered White, physically normal infants.…”

“…These families are then faced with the challenges of dealing with society's and their own families' racism, stereotypes about adoption, and homophobia. Eldridge and Barrett (2003) pointed out that the Western, patriarchal assumption that a child can have only one "real mother" (p. 311) pits the two mothers of a lesbian family against each other. They challenged therapists to expand their view of motherhood and to develop systemic connections between birth mothers and adoptive mothers, legal and social mothers.…”

“…In summary, the work of Eldridge and Barrett (2003) and Inclan (2003) demonstrates that effective work with real families demands a deep and nuanced understanding of both feminist and multicultural principles. Their work illustrates how integrating feminism and multiculturalism can benefit both domains and lead to more effective clinical practice.…”