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Same-Sex Attracted Parents’ Emotional Transitions to Parenthood

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Paths to Parenthood

Abstract

The journey to parenthood for same-sex attracted parents can include specific emotional challenges. The greater likelihood of using in-vitro fertilisation or surrogacy can incur financial burdens and loss of autonomy. The process of family formation can be arduous and full of compromises, and the trauma and associated grief can go unrecognised. Identity as a lesbian, gay or transgendered person can initially conflict with identity as a parent, potentially impacting on the relationship with children or couple relationships. Support for parenting cannot be guaranteed from families of origin, workplaces or social networks, where persistant homophobic attitudes exist. In the context of shifting and unpredictable social attitudes, specific issues for same-sex attracted parents’ transition to parenthood, and guidance on targeted support will be presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Ruth McNair

  2. School of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Deborah Dempsey

Authors
  1. Ruth McNair
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  2. Deborah Dempsey
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Correspondence to Ruth McNair .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Renata Kokanović

  2. School of Philosophical, Historical, and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Paula A. Michaels

  3. Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Kate Johnston-Ataata

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McNair, R., Dempsey, D. (2018). Same-Sex Attracted Parents’ Emotional Transitions to Parenthood. In: Kokanović, R., Michaels, P., Johnston-Ataata, K. (eds) Paths to Parenthood. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0143-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0143-8_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-0142-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-0143-8

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