Lesbian Mothers' Bids for Normalcy in Their Children's Schools

Abstract

Albeit growing in number, lesbian mothers and their children remain a statistical minority in schools. Lesbian mothers in this study described their families as “normal” or “just like any other family.” From the perspective of queer theory, normal is a socially constructed and insidious concept. This study analyzes both the strategies participants used to be recognized as normal in their children's schools and the reasons such recognition was perceived to be important by participants.

Laura A. Bower is an Assistant Professor of Education at Southern Connecticut State University. Her research interests center on the intersection of schools and sexual minority parenting, with attention to teacher identity and the use of queer theory in teacher education.

Cari L. Klecka is Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her research interests include facets of professional identity, forms of teacher leadership, and development of communities designed to support teacher education.