"About as Solid as a Fish Net": Symbolic Construction of a Legitimate Parental Identity for Nonbiological Lesbian Mothers

Abstract

Nonbiological lesbian mothers lack not only biological ties to their children, but have no legal ties even if those children are intentionally conceived through donor insemination in the context of a committed relationship. This article explores symbolic attempts to construct the nonbiological mother as a legitimate parent in the absence of such ties. Sixteen families whose children were conceived through donor insemination are analyzed in this study using constructivist grounded theory. Findings suggest that address terms for the nonbiological mother, children's last names, and legal moves are primary symbolic ways lesbian families attempt to construct a legitimate parental identity for the nonbiological mother. These strategies suggest the potential for increased social recognition of nonbiological mothers.