Date of Award

Spring 5-10-1999

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Maria Brown

Second Advisor

Randy Collins

Third Advisor

Nancy Edwards

Abstract

Empirical evidence dating back almost 30 years shows no significant differences between children raised by homosexual and heterosexual parents. Now concentration must shift to how lesbian and gay parenting cope and fulfill their parental roles ln the face of multiple discriminations from both the heterosexual and homosexual communities. A format of focus group discussions is a non-threatening method to determine the level of social changes that lesbian mothers experience after children are added to their families. This study concentrates solely on three lesbian mothers. The participants were solicited through newspaper and bulletin board ads and "snowball" sampling. Major themes that arose include decreased interaction with lesbian social and political groups and increased involvement with institutions defined as heterosexual and other families with heterosexual parents. Given the small nature of the study, the results cannot be generalized but may provide insight into future studies, interventions, and social advocacy on behalf of this group of parents.

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.1999.Grimm.VL

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