2 minute read

Gay Parents

Conclusion



In many ways, gay fathers are similar to heterosexual fathers. Unique challenges for gay male parents arise from negative societal attitudes toward their intimate relationships, the methods they use to become parents, and the nature of their relationships with their children. Future research efforts should document multicultural and international perspectives, address institutionalized homonegativity that serves to perpetuate discrimination against gay male parents and their children, and provide public policy analyses that will end the discrimination against homosexual parents that effectively reduces the quality of social support they receive.




Bibliography

Bailey, J. M.; Bobrow, D.; Wolfe, M.; and Mikach, S. (1995). "Sexual Orientations of Adult Sons of Gay Fathers." Developmental Psychology 31:124–129.

Bigner, J. J., and Jacobsen, R. B. (1989). "The Value of Children to Gay and Heterosexual Fathers." In Homosexuality and the Family, ed. F. W. Bozett. New York: Harrington Park Press.

Groth, A. N., and Birnbaum, H. J. (1978). "Adult Sexual Orientation and Attraction to Underage Persons." Archives of Sexual Behavior 7:175–181.

Jenny, C.; Roesler, T. A.; and Poyer, K. L. (1994). "Are Children at Risk for Sexual Abuse by Homosexuals?" Pediatrics 94:41–44.

Kite, M. E., and Whitley, B. E., Jr. (1996). "Sex Differences in Attitudes toward Homosexual Persons, Behaviors, and Civil Rights: A Meta-analysis." Personal and Social Psychological Bulletin 22:336–353. Miller, B. (1979). "Gay Fathers and Their Children." Family Coordinator 28:544–552.

Patterson, C. J. (2000). "Family Relationships of Lesbians and Gay Men." Journal of Marriage and the Family 62:1052–1069.

Patterson, C. J., and Chan, R. W. (1996). "Gay Fathers and their Children." In Textbook of Homosexuality and Mental Health, ed. R. P. Cabaj and T. S. Stein. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press. Patterson, C. J.; Fulcher, M.; and Wainright, J. (2000). "Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents: Research, Law, and Policy." In Children and the Law: Social Science and Policy, ed. B. L. Bottoms, M. B. Kovera, and B. D. McAuliff. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Savin-Williams, R. C., and Esterberg, E. G. (2000). "Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Familes." In Handbook of Family Diversity, ed. D. H. Demo, K. R. Allen, and M. A. Fine. New York: Oxford University Press.

TODD A. SAVAGE MARC E. FRISIELLO SHARON SCALES ROSTOSKY

Additional topics

Marriage and Family EncyclopediaMarriage: Cultural AspectsGay Parents - Gay Relationships And Legal Matters, Gay Fathers As A Distinct Group, Becoming Parents And Negotiating Parenthood