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Lovers for a time, mothers for life: Ecosystemic analysis of blended family experiences of lesbian mothers and stepmothers
Author(s) -
Lavoie Kévin,
SaintJacques MarieChristine
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
child and family social work
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-2206
pISSN - 1356-7500
DOI - 10.1111/cfs.12780
Subject(s) - lesbian , general partnership , heterosexism , psychology , intervention (counseling) , face (sociological concept) , gender studies , coparenting , developmental psychology , social psychology , sociology , political science , psychiatry , law , social science
This article presents results of a qualitative study of blended lesbian‐headed families with children from previous same‐sex relationships. Conducted in partnership with the LGBT Family Coalition, this study adopts an ecosystemic approach to document the experiences of parental separation and family blending of 17 ( n = 17) lesbian mothers and stepmothers in the province of Quebec, Canada. The challenges these women face in these periods of transition, particularly in terms of post‐separation co‐parenting and family reorganization, are analysed with particular concern for the daily stresses of heterosexism and membership in a sexual minority. Various strategies used to overcome these challenges, the positive outcomes of creating blended families and the stepmother's place and role within the family are examined. A discussion of the support and intervention needs of these families concludes the paper.