Traditional understandings of families incorporate the assumption that both parents and children are heterosexual. Only quite recently have psychological research and theory examined lesbian, gay, and bisexual lives within the context of families. In Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identities in Families, Charlotte J. Patterson and Anthony R. D'Augelli draw together the psychological research and examine the entire multifaceted experience of such relationships. The editors bring together the most important recent scholarship and empirical research on family relationships and dynamics, and they identify directions for future research and theory in this area.
The first section of the book discusses different perspectives on sexual orientation in families. It focuses on evidence relevant to genetic contributions to sexual orientation, and looks at social interactions and their development. Ethnic identity and family dynamics along with cultural influences on conceptions of sexual orientation and family lives are examined. The next section focuses on key aspects of interpersonal relationships within the families of lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals. The interactions between children and parents of different sexual orientations and a variety of intergenerational processes in lesbian-headed families are explored. The final section of the book focuses on community and contextual issues. It explores economic issues, antilesbian/antigay attitudes, social structures, and social policies that affect lesbian and gay family lives. This volume, one of the first to discuss the family relationships of gay men, lesbians, and bisexual men and women, will be of interest to psychologists, sociologists, social workers, scholars of gay/lesbian/bisexual studies, as well as laypersons.