Exploring the positive experiences of heterosexual fathers who parent gay sons: A phenomenological approach.

Abstract

The relationship between a father and son is essential to the lives of many men, including those of heterosexual fathers and their gay sons. However, little research has examined how fathers understand this specific relationship pairing. While this connection between father and son has been popularized by the media as one of contention, it may also be a space of support and strength for some men. Herein, we explore the positive aspects of the relationship between young gay men and their fathers through fathers' eyes. Five heterosexual fathers participated in written activities and interviews about their father-son relationships. Seven overall themes were explicated from the data: (a) Fathers had a diversity of emotional reactions to their sons being gay; (b) Fathers expressed love to their sons in different ways; (c); Fathers viewed the father-son relationship as both changed and not changed after sons' coming out; (d) Fathers valued a deep connection to their sons; (e) Fathers were personally and positively changed by having gay sons; (f) Fathers had normative parental concerns unrelated to their sons being gay; and (g) Fathers varied in how and from whom they sought support. Clinical implications and future directions are explored.

Expressive Writing Intervention With Cuban-American and Puerto Rican Parents of LGBTQ Individuals

“…These themes are consistent with previous findings about the importance of parent-child relationships and experiences of parental figures of LGBTQ individuals (e.g., Fields, 2001;Gonzalez, Rostosky, Odom, & Riggle, 2013;Hill & Menvielle 2009;Kuvalanka, Weiner, & Mahan, 2014;Wren, 2002). The role of family dynamics in the process of acceptance are consistent with prior findings (e.g., D'Amico et al, 2015;Freedman, 2008;Goodrich, 2009;Gray, Sweeney, Randazzo, & Levitt, 2015;Horn & Wong, 2016;Oswald, 1999;Phillips & Ancis, 2008) and are important in the specific cultural context of the parental figures who participated in the current study.…”

How social support and parent–child relationship quality relate to LGBTQ+ college students’ well-being during COVID-19.

“…Although there were limited associations between SOGI disclosure to parents and well-being, one notable exception was that LGBTQ+ college students who were out to fathers were more likely to perceive increased anxiety symptoms as a result of the pandemic than their peers. Given that fathers are more likely than mothers to communicate their concerns about, and/or reject their offspring's LGBTQ+ identity (Horn & Wong, 2017), being out to father(s) may be associated with increased anxiety symptoms during a time when fewer identity expression outlets exist. Programs and interventions seeking to support LGBTQ+ college students' mental health should consider the important role of fathers.…”

“…In terms of fathers, our study suggests that, during the pandemic, better quality father-child relationships may be particularly important for LGBTQ+ college students. Fathers express more rejecting and negative responses after SOGI disclosure than mothers do, and LGBTQ+ youth's relationship quality with their fathers is closely related to fathers' acceptance of their LGBTQ+ identity (Horn & Wong, 2017). Therefore, better quality relationships with fathers may be protective for LGBTQ+ college students' well-being not only during the pandemic but also postpandemic.…”

Latinx fathers of transgender and gender diverse people: Journey toward acceptance and role of culture

“…Only a few studies in the literature have focused on the relationship between fathers and their LGBTQ child (e.g., Bucher, 2014; Horn & Wong, 2017; Savin‐Williams, 2001). However, most of this research has focused on fathers of cisgender sexual minority people or has not captured the child's gender identity accurately.…”