Journal of Family Nursing

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

The Diabetes Educator

SAGETRACK

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by van Dam, M. A. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by van Dam, M. A. A.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Journal of Family Nursing, Vol. 10, No. 4, 450-484 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1074840704270120

Mothers in Two Types of Lesbian Families: Stigma Experiences, Supports, and Burdens

Mary Ann A. van Dam, R.N., Ph.D., P.N.P.

San Francisco State University

This study of 360 lesbian mothers represented 180 dual-parent lesbian families from 38 U.S. states and examined the maternal experiences with stigma and the families’ support systems and burdens. Mothers in lesbian families, who established a lesbian relationship and subsequently had children together, were compared to mothers in lesbian stepfamilies, where partners started their intimate relationship after having children. Results indicated that mothers in lesbian stepfamilies had less support. Both types of families had men in their lives, and most mothers were burdened by concerns regarding their children’s experience of stigma. Both types of families experience stigma; however, mothers in lesbian stepfamilies perceive more stigma. Health care providers (HCP) should know the tolerance for lesbian identities in their community and assist women in disclosing their family constellation. Specific suggestions are provided for the HCP to make these assessments.

Key Words: lesbian mothers • lesbian families • stigma • children


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Journal of Family IssuesHome page
E. A. Suter, K. L. Daas, and K. M. Bergen
Negotiating Lesbian Family Identity via Symbols and Rituals
Journal of Family Issues, January 1, 2008; 29(1): 26 - 47.
[Abstract] [PDF]