1. Gay & Lesbian Parenting Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.

2. Scientific Evidence What does the scientific evidence say about effectiveness of Gay & Lesbian parenting?What does the scientific evidence say about effectiveness of Gay & Lesbian parenting? What does the scientific evidence say about the risk to children?What does the scientific evidence say about the risk to children? Statistics on the prevalence of Gay & Lesbian Parenting.Statistics on the prevalence of Gay & Lesbian Parenting. –6-9 million children

3. Gay and Lesbian Parenting Legal IssuesLegal Issues Increasing social acceptance of diversity in sexual orientationIncreasing social acceptance of diversity in sexual orientation

4. Gay and Lesbian Parenting Why become parents?Why become parents? What concerns do Gay and Lesbian Parents have?What concerns do Gay and Lesbian Parents have?

5. More Legal issuesMore Legal issues Alternative methods for conceptionAlternative methods for conception Legal rights for the non-biological parentLegal rights for the non-biological parent State LawsState Laws Attorneys can prepare medical consent and nomination-of-guardian forms. But…Attorneys can prepare medical consent and nomination-of-guardian forms. But… Formal adoption by co-parents on a case-by- case basisFormal adoption by co-parents on a case-by- case basis Legal Issues

6. Discrimination? Legal justification for prejudice?Legal justification for prejudice? Need for empirical support for assumptionsNeed for empirical support for assumptions Stereotypes and laws that maintain discriminatory practicesStereotypes and laws that maintain discriminatory practices Gay versus non-gay fathers – more similarities than differencesGay versus non-gay fathers – more similarities than differences

7. Gay and Lesbian Parenting Lesbian versus heterosexual MothersLesbian versus heterosexual Mothers –What are the issues?

8. Gay and Lesbian Parenting –Report similar role conflicts, social support networks, and coping strategies.

9. Gay and Lesbian Parenting Children’s Gender Identity and Sexual OrientationChildren’s Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation –Are there gender issues? –Study looking at 300 children –Differences between Lesbian Mothers & Single, divorced mothers?

10. Gay and Lesbian Parenting What is involved with Optimal Parenting ?What is involved with Optimal Parenting ?

11. Other Differences? Emotional HealthEmotional Health Parenting SkillsParenting Skills Attitudes towards parentingAttitudes towards parenting Do parents influence the sexual orientation of their children? Longitudinal studyDo parents influence the sexual orientation of their children? Longitudinal study

12. Gender Is sex & gender the same thing?Is sex & gender the same thing? –Sex –Gender –How we have constructed the category of woman. –What about race & femininity? –Example: KV Switzer & Katherine Deraba. –Gender changes over time. –The feminine body & the language we use.

13. Are you a feminist? What is the Feminist Movement all about?What is the Feminist Movement all about? Do men experience any pressure with their bodies?Do men experience any pressure with their bodies? What is the role of advertisement.What is the role of advertisement. The selling of “woman”.The selling of “woman”. Is it a profitable relationship?Is it a profitable relationship?