This article presents one of the first comprehensive reviews of intersectionality literature for a family studies audience. The purpose of this article is manifold: (1) to review the interdisciplinary scholarship on intersectionality as a theoretical approach, paradigm, or method; (2) to review methodological considerations using intersectionality as a theoretical guide to conduct research; and (3) to examine how contemporary family scholars are utilizing an intersectional approach to examine the complexities of identity, relational process, and social interactions with larger institutional forces. I conclude with an evaluation of the benefits and challenges of using an intersectional approach to the study of contemporary families.

This review of the gender, feminist, and intersectional literature on families from 2010 to 2019 examines the following three streams of research, theorizing, and praxis: (a) the framing of gender as systemic social stratification and inequalities, (b) the application of feminist perspectives and praxis to highlight and change power disparities in private and public spheres; and (c) the application of intersectionality perspectives to examine and redress social inequities, privilege, and oppression. Collectively, these streams represent variations of a critical theoretical perspective on families. This article has the following three aims: (a) examine how the critical approaches of gender, feminist, and intersectional theories have been used to frame the study of family life during the past decade; (b) identify and assess empirical exemplars in the family literature that highlight the explicit application of these critical approaches; and (c) discuss future directions to push the study of families forward toward more inclusivity and relevance.

We discuss how to move the family studies field and the teaching of family theories from covering the “facts” that LGBT‐parent families exist to a critical conversation that incorporates conceptual tools, language, and theoretical insights from queer and intersectionality theories. We attempt to move this conversation by presenting a model of curricular change for teaching family studies theories courses that shifts from LGBT‐parent exclusion, compensatory addition of LGBT‐parent families, and LGBT‐parent families as disadvantaged to a focus on queer and intersectional scholarship and a continuing postmodern paradigm shift. We discuss how instructors can engage in critical feminist‐oriented self‐reflexivity and transformational pedagogy.

The past decades have witnessed some of the most prolific changes in rights and experiences for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) individuals and their families. Research during this period also witnessed a significant increase in the study of these changes. The current content analysis systematically reviewed all LGBT-related articles published in top-ranked, general family science journals from 2000 to 2015 to gauge the state of this growing field. Specifically, basic descriptives, theoretical foundations, methodological plurality, and inclusivity were examined. Results revealed that less than 3% of articles published were LGBT-related, most were atheoretical and infrequently included variables unique to this population (e.g., outness, discrimination), used purposive cross-sectional samples, focused most on lesbian and/or gay couples, and included primarily White and middle-class individuals in samples. Areas of strengths and future opportunities are discussed.

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