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The Lesbian And Gay Stepfamily

            Considerations of Family Structure and Gender Composition: The Lesbian and Gay Stepfamily.
             This article explores the similarities and dissimilarities between heterosexual stepfamilies and gay/lesbian stepfamilies. .
             Hypothesis 1: Gay and lesbian stepparents experience similar structural challenges as heterosexual stepfamilies. .
             Hypothesis 2: Gay and lesbian stepparents experience dissimilar sexual and gender composition issues as heterosexual stepfamilies. .
             Participants: 23 Gay and lesbian stepfamilies, 17 female and 6 male. Both biological parent and stepparent were interviewed. The author compares findings of these families to literature on heterosexual stepfamilies. .
             Method: 1-2 hour face to face or over the phone interviews with both biological parent and stepparent. .
             Results: Homosexual stepfamilies share similar structural challenges as heterosexual stepfamilies. Homosexual stepfamilies share dissimilar sexual and gender issues than heterosexual stepfamilies. .
             Structural Challenges.
             *Family formation: Most gay/lesbian stepparents like heterosexual families failed to plan or consider how becoming a family would be accomplished. Unrealistic expectations characterized both types of families despite gender composition. Both types believed the transition would be relatively smooth and new family members would automatically share care and concern for each other. Both heterosexual and homosexual stepparents were surprised by the number of tasks, time, and energy devoted to parenthood. .
             *Assumption of parenting and step parenting roles: Most heterosexual and homosexual parents held unrealistic notions about parenting and their place in it. Lack of experience with children or at least parenting resulted in these unrealistic ideas about parenting. The most common feeling in both types of families was that the biological parent had the feeling of being in the middle of spouse and child.


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