Psychology

"Second generation" voices: Queer youth with lesbian/bisexual mothers

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Research on the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth with LGBTQ parents is absent in the social science literature. The present qualitative, exploratory study utilized a social constructionist and queer theoretical lens through which to explore the sexual/gender identity formation and disclosure experiences of 18 LGBTQ young adults with lesbian/bisexual mothers. Findings suggest that LGBTQ parents may have a uniquely positive influence on their LGBTQ children in regard to their sexual and gender identity development. However, some participants reported perceiving societal scrutiny related to their mothers' lesbian/bisexual identities and, thus, felt pressure to be heterosexual and gender-conforming. Furthermore, some participants did not necessarily utilize or view their lesbian/bisexual mothers as sources of support in relation to their own sexual/gender identity formation. While much more research is needed that examines the experiences of LGBTQ children with LGBTQ parents, this study represents a first step in addressing the existing literature gap. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Publication Title

Journal of Youth and Adolescence

Publication Date

8-1-2009

Volume

38

Issue

7

First Page

904

Last Page

919

ISSN

0047-2891

DOI

10.1007/s10964-008-9327-2

Keywords

coming out, LGBTQ parents, LGBTQ youth, qualitative research, queer identity, social constructionist

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