New Choices, New Families : How Lesbians Decide About Motherhood

How do lesbians decide to become mothers or remain childfree? Why do new families form at particular historical moments? These questions are at the heart of Nancy J. Mezey's New Choices, New Families. Researchers, politicians, and society at large continue to debate the changing American family, especially nontraditional families that emerge from divorce, remarriage, grandparents-as-parents, and adoption. This ongoing discussion also engages the controversy surrounding the parental rights of same-sex couples and their families. New Choices, New Families enters into this conversation. Mezey asks why lesbians are forming families at this particular historical moment and wonders how race, class, sexual identity, and family history factor into the decision-making process. Drawing heavily from personal interviews, Mezey's groundbreaking analysis gives voice to groups long underrepresented in similar studies -- black, Latina, working class, and childfree lesbians. Some chapters examine how childhood experiences contribute to the desire to become a mother, while others consider the influence of women's partners and careers. New Choices, New Families provides thoughtful insights into questions about sexual identity, social and cultural expectations, and what and who constitute a family.

How do lesbians decide to become mothers or remain childfree? Why do new families form at particular historical moments? These questions are at the heart of Nancy J. Mezey’s New Choices, New Families.

Researchers, politicians, and society at large continue to debate the changing American family, especially nontraditional families that emerge from divorce, remarriage, grandparents-as-parents, and adoption. This ongoing discussion also engages the controversy surrounding the parental rights of same-sex couples and their families.

New Choices, New Families enters into this conversation. Mezey asks why lesbians are forming families at this particular historical moment and wonders how race, class, sexual identity, and family history factor into the decision-making process. Drawing heavily from personal interviews, Mezey’s groundbreaking analysis gives voice to groups long underrepresented in similar studies—black, Latina, working class, and childfree lesbians. Some chapters examine how childhood experiences contribute to the desire to become a mother, while others consider the influence of women’s partners and careers.

New Choices, New Families provides thoughtful insights into questions about sexual identity, social and cultural expectations, and what and who constitute a family.

How do lesbians decide to become mothers or remain childfree? Why do new families form at particular historical moments? These questions are at the heart of Nancy J. Mezey’s New Choices, New Families.

Researchers, politicians, and society at large continue to debate the changing American family, especially nontraditional families that emerge from divorce, remarriage, grandparents-as-parents, and adoption. This ongoing discussion also engages the controversy surrounding the parental rights of same-sex couples and their families.

New Choices, New Families enters into this conversation. Mezey asks why lesbians are forming families at this particular historical moment and wonders how race, class, sexual identity, and family history factor into the decision-making process. Drawing heavily from personal interviews, Mezey’s groundbreaking analysis gives voice to groups long underrepresented in similar studies—black, Latina, working class, and childfree lesbians. Some chapters examine how childhood experiences contribute to the desire to become a mother, while others consider the influence of women’s partners and careers.

New Choices, New Families provides thoughtful insights into questions about sexual identity, social and cultural expectations, and what and who constitute a family.

Annotation How do lesbians decide to become mothers or remain childfree? Why do new families form at particular historical moments? These questions are at the heart of Nancy J. Mezey's New Choices, New Families . Researchers, politicians, and society at large continue to debate the changing American family, especially nontraditional families that emerge from divorce, remarriage, grandparents-as-parents, and adoption. This ongoing discussion also engages the controversy surrounding the parental rights of same-sex couples and their families. New Choices, New Families enters into this conversation. Mezey asks why lesbians are forming families at this particular historical moment and wonders how race, class, sexual identity, and family history factor into the decision-making process. Drawing heavily from personal interviews, Mezey's groundbreaking analysis gives voice to groups long underrepresented in similar studiesblack, Latina, working class, and childfree lesbians. Some chapters examine how childhood experiences contribute to the desire to become a mother, while others consider the influence of women's partners and careers. New Choices, New Families provides thoughtful insights into questions about sexual identity, social and cultural expectations, and what and who constitute a family Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 1 At the Crossroads......Page 16 2 The Historical Rise of Lesbian Families......Page 30 3 Recruiting Lesbian Participants and Collecting Data......Page 47 4 Developing Mothering Desires......Page 61 5 Understanding Motherhood......Page 81 6 Negotiating Lesbian Support Networks......Page 102 7 Weighing Intimate Partner Relationships......Page 119 8 Considering the Benefits and Barriers of Work......Page 138 9 New Choices, New Families......Page 158 A. Recruitment Questionnaire......Page 176 B. Interview Guide for Lesbian Mothers......Page 178 C. Interview Guide for Childfree Lesbians......Page 182 References......Page 186 C......Page 198 G......Page 199 M......Page 200 R......Page 201 W......Page 202 Lesbians have to decide to become mothers or remain childfree at a certain moment. Mezey looks at this question together with researchers, politicians, and society at large continue to debate the changing American family, especially nontraditional families that emerge from divorce, remarriage, grandparents-as-parents, and adoption. This ongoing discussion also engages the controversy surrounding the parental rights of same-sex couples and their families. Mezey asks why lesbians are forming families at this particular historical moment and wonders how race, class, sexual identity, and family history factor into the decision-making process Society continues to debate the changing American family, especially nontraditional families. In addition, this debate engages the controversy surrounding the parental rights of same-sex couples and their families. In New Choices, the author asks why lesbians are forming families at this particular historical moment and wonders how race, class, sexual identity, and family history factor into the decision- making process. Drawing heavily from personal interviews, her analysis gives voice to groups long underrepresented in similar studies, such as black, Latina, working class, and childfree lesbians At The Crossroads -- The Historical Rise Of Lesbian Families -- Recruiting Lesbian Participants And Collecting Data -- Developing Mothering Desires -- Understanding Motherhood -- Negotiating Lesbian Support Networks -- Weighing Intimate Partner Relationships -- Considering The Benefits And Barriers Of Work -- New Choices, New Families. Nancy J. Mezey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [171]--181) And Index.