Redefining Family- An In-depth Exploration of Youth with Lesbian Parents

While there has been considerable research on lesbian and/or gay parentingvery little research has focused on how the children of lesbian and gay parentsnegotiate between their family identity and the definitions of familyimposed by society. Families headed by gay and lesbian parents do not fitinto a traditional ideologically-driven definition of family - rendering themvirtually invisible due to their lack of representation in the media school curriculumand normal society. This book is an exploration of the concept of familyas it was defined by six early adolescents and their lesbian parents. In anera with increased political and social tension surrounding issues of gay andlesbian marriage rights and validity for same sex parents this qualitative studyexplored how these youth experience the disjunctures between their familyidentity and the definitions of family imposed by the larger society. The authorsof this study informed by queer theory and inquiry conclude thatidentity is not realized through definitive and rigid boundaries but within andbetween these locations. This book is addressed to counselors educatorsand researchers interested in understanding and even promoting social justicefor those living in diverse family structures.