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Gay and Lesbian Couples in Stepfamilies

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Stepfamily Relationships

Abstract

How do same-sex stepfamilies compare to heterosexual stepfamilies? How are they similar and how do they differ? In this chapter stepfamilies headed by gay and lesbian couples are examined. There are multiple pathways to creating a same-sex stepfamily (i.e., after a divorce, via donor insemination, hiring a surrogate to deliver, adopting); these pathways are examined and their implications for stepfamily dynamics and relationships are considered. The multiple types of stigma encountered by same-sex stepfamilies are handled by stepfamily members in various ways; we look at resilience processes and coping strategies that are used. Particular attention is paid to parent’s coming out processes and the development of stepparent–stepchild relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Lawrence Ganong & Marilyn Coleman

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  1. Lawrence Ganong
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  2. Marilyn Coleman
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Ganong, L., Coleman, M. (2017). Gay and Lesbian Couples in Stepfamilies. In: Stepfamily Relationships. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7702-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7702-1_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7700-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7702-1

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