Experiences of Children With Gay Fathers

Perrin, Ellen C.; Pinderhughes, Ellen E.; Mattern, Kathryn; Hurley, Sean M.; Newman, Rachel

doi:10.1177/0009922816632346

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Further, gay fathers had faced unique challenges in making their adoptive and unconventional family as they anticipated and prepared themselves and their children for the discrimination they may encounter when revealing their family configuration. In this regard, a study of US gay fathers reported that in contrast with those living in California, most of the gay fathers who lived in Tennessee reported higher levels of parenthood-related stigma and tended to avoid situations in which they might encounter this stigma (Perrin et al, 2016 ) revealed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are the Fathers Alright? A Systematic and Critical Review of Studies on Gay and Bisexual Fatherhood

et al. 2017

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The purpose of the present systematic and critical review was to assess the findings and to identify the gaps in the literature concerning gay and bisexual fathers. A comprehensive search of relevant literature using electronic databases and reference lists for articles published until December 2016 was conducted. A total of 63 studies, spanning from 1979 to 2016, were collected. More than half of the studies were published after 2011 and the overwhelming majority were conducted in the United States. Nine themes were identified in the studies reviewed: (1) Pathways to fatherhood; (2) Motivations for fatherhood; (3) Parenting experiences and childrearing; (4) Family life and relationship quality; (5) Gender and father identities and gender-role orientation; (6) Disclosure of sexual identity; (7) Social climate; (8) Father's psychosocial adjustment; and (9) Children's psychosocial adjustment. It was found that research on gay fatherhood appears to be more heterogeneous than on lesbian motherhood, perhaps because of the variety of pathways to parenthood (via co-parenting, adoption, fostering, or surrogacy). Two-father families are becoming more visible in research on sexual minority parenting and gradually transforming the conceptualization of parenting in family research.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are the Fathers Alright? A Systematic and Critical Review of Studies on Gay and Bisexual Fatherhood

et al. 2017

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“…Nevertheless, gay men report suspicion and criticism for their decision to be parents from gay friends who have not chosen parenthood, barriers in the adoption process, and isolation in their parental role. 14,15 Gay men who became parents while in a heterosexual relationship may face difficulties maintaining custody or obtaining legal parenting rights for a new spouse. 14 Adoption and surrogacy options are also limited by their high cost.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and Stigma Experienced by Gay Fathers and Their Children

et al. 2019

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BACKGROUND: Gay men have become fathers in the context of a heterosexual relationship, by adoption, by donating sperm to 1 or 2 lesbian women and subsequently sharing parenting responsibilities, and/or by engaging the services of a surrogate pregnancy carrier. Despite legal, medical, and social advances, gay fathers and their children continue to experience stigma and avoid situations because of fear of stigma. Increasing evidence reveals that stigma is associated with reduced well-being of children and adults, including psychiatric symptoms and suicidality. METHODS:Men throughout the United States who identified as gay and fathers completed an online survey. Dissemination of the survey was enhanced via a "snowball" method, yielding 732 complete responses from 47 states. The survey asked how the respondent had become a father, whether he had encountered barriers, and whether he and his child(ren) had experienced stigma in various social contexts. RESULTS:Gay men are increasingly becoming fathers via adoption and with assistance of an unrelated pregnancy carrier. Their pathways to fatherhood vary with socioeconomic class and the extent of legal protections in their state. Respondents reported barriers to becoming a father and stigma associated with fatherhood in multiple social contexts, most often in religious institutions. Fewer barriers and less stigma were experienced by fathers living in states with more legal protections. CONCLUSIONS:Despite growing acceptance of parenting by same-gender adults, barriers and stigma persist. States' legal and social protections for lesbian and gay individuals and families appear to be effective in reducing experiences of stigma for gay fathers. abstract

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“…Five of the 22 papers were normative comparative studies and, therefore also included heterosexual persons (Crawshaw & Montuschi, 2014;Goldberg & Smith, 2008a;Goldberg & Smith, 2014;Lavner et al, 2014). Nine of the studies focused on female samples (Chabot & Ames, 2004;DeMino et al, 2007;Dunne, 2000;Goldberg, 2006a;Goldberg, 2006b;Goldberg & Smith, 2008b;Manley et al, 2018;Ross et al, 2005), six on male samples (Brinamen & Mitchell, 2008;Gianino, 2008;Goldberg et al, 2012;Perrin et al, 2016;Tornello & Patterson, 2015;Wells, 2011); one of them also included transgender persons (Klittmark et al, 2019); and the remainder included males and females (Brown et al, 2009;Crawshaw, & Montuschi, 2014;Goldberg & Smith, 2011;Lavner et al, 2014). Considering a total of 2081 participants, across the 22 papers, 834 persons defined themselves as lesbian women, 1197 as gay men, 30 as bisexual individuals, and 20 as plurisexual, queer, or pansexual.…”

Section: Coding Of Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both gay and lesbian parents reported support from their families of origin (Brinamen & Mitchell, 2008;Brown et al, 2009;DeMino et al, 2007;Dunne, 2000;Gianino, 2008;Goldberg, 2006;Goldberg & Smith, 2011;Perrin et al, 2016;Ross et al 2005;Wells, 2011). This type of support increased across the transition to parenthood (Brinamen & Mitchell, 2008;Brown et al, 2009;Goldberg, 2006;Goldberg & Smith, 2011), even when the family of origin was not initially supportive of the decision to have children (Brown et al, 2009;Ross et al, 2005) or at the moment of coming-out (Gianino, 2008;Wells, 2011).…”

Section: Families Of Originmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, some LGB parents felt a lack of support from their own family of origin (Brown et al, 2009;Ross et al, 2005;Wells, 2011) and from their partner's family (Brown et al, 2009;Perrin et al, 2016). Lesbian women who were considering pregnancy felt a lack of support from their families of origin, including their extended families (Goldberg, 2006;Ross et al, 2005).…”

Section: Families Of Originmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social Support in the Transition to Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons: A Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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Parenting is a challenging life-cycle transition, particularly for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons who have to deal with prejudice and discrimination. Considering this position of social disadvantage and the potential protective role of social support, our aim in this work was to systematize existing knowledge about the role of social support (i.e., social support, family support, community support, LGBT support, support, and engagement) in the transition to parenthood among LGB persons. Through a systematic review process conducted in May 2019 using PRISMA guidelines, the present study identified 22 manuscripts which accomplished all inclusion criteria. Our results suggested closer relationships to the family of origin and a detachment from the LGBT community in this stage of life cycle. Furthermore, the social support received in the transition to parenthood seems to influence, not only the psychological well-being of these parents and prospective parents, but also the quality of their relationships with different support networks. Thus, we understand that inclusive clinical and human professional interventions aimed at improving the available social support networks of LGB persons and, consequently, enhance their psychosocial well-being and family relations during this life transition.

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Experiences of Children With Gay Fathers

Cited by 14 publications

References 31 publications

Are the Fathers Alright? A Systematic and Critical Review of Studies on Gay and Bisexual Fatherhood

Are the Fathers Alright? A Systematic and Critical Review of Studies on Gay and Bisexual Fatherhood

Barriers and Stigma Experienced by Gay Fathers and Their Children

Social Support in the Transition to Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons: A Systematic Review

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