Parenting in Gay and Lesbian Families

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to gather descriptive data on gay and lesbian parents and to examine differences between lesbian mothers and gay fathers. The study consisted of structured interviews with 10 gay fathers and 11 lesbian mothers with custody of or regular contact with their children. The parents has a total of 37 children, ranging in age from 4 to 22 years. Lesbian mother had significantly lower incomes than gay fathers, had more multiple marriages, were less likely to live with a lover, were more liklely to tell their children themselves of their homosexuality, and were more likely to have difficulty reconiling their gay and parenting roles. Gay fathers reported better relationships with ex-spouses than lesbian mothers. Both sets of parents reported few lingering problems with their children as a result of their homosexuality.