Psychology

Predictors of race, adoption, and sexual orientation related socialization of adoptive parents of young children

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Using a sample of 125 lesbian, gay, and heterosexual adoptive parent couples with young children (M = 6.32 years), this study examined predictors of direct socialization (preparation for adoptism, racism, and heterosexism) and indirect socialization (modeling interactions by responding to outsiders' inquiries about their child's adoptive status, racial background, or family structure). In terms of direct socialization, parents of older children tended to engage in more socialization around adoptism and heterosexism, and parents of daughters tended to engage in more socialization around racism and heterosexism. Greater perceived child interest in adoption was related to more direct socialization around adoptism. Parents of color reported more direct socialization around racism. Having a child of color was related to more direct socialization around heterosexism. Regarding indirect socialization, sexual minority parents reported more socialization around adoption and race. Greater perceived child interest in adoption was related to more indirect adoption socialization. Being more "out" was related to more indirect socialization around parent sexual orientation.

Publication Title

Journal of Family Psychology

Publication Date

2016

Volume

30

Issue

3

First Page

397

Last Page

408

ISSN

0893-3200

DOI

10.1037/fam0000149

Keywords

adoption, gay, heterosexism, lesbian, racism, socialization

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