Childless lesbian and gay adults’ self-efficacy about achieving parenthood.

Abstract

Lesbian and gay people are much less likely than others to become parents, and psychological factors may contribute to this difference. We explored self-efficacy about becoming a parent among geographically diverse, childless, lesbian and gay U.S. residents aged 18 to 44 years (n ϭ 1,098). On average, participants reported that they were uncertain whether they could overcome financial barriers to parenthood or become biological parents without assistance from reproductive health providers. However, they were somewhat optimistic about overcoming barriers to adoptive and foster parenthood, and they were optimistic that they could somehow achieve parenthood if they wanted to. Participants who were younger, who reported that children with lesbian or gay parents enjoy positive outcomes, and who lived in social climates favorable for members of sexual minorities reported the highest self-efficacy about achieving parenthood. These results contribute to understanding of family formation among sexual minority adults.

How Law Shapes Experiences of Parenthood for Same-Sex Couples

“…Notable exceptions include a study done by Riskind, Patterson, and Nosek (2013), which found that sexual minorities living in unfavorable legal climates are more likely to express doubts that becoming a parent is possible. Likewise, Patterson and Riskind (2010) suggest that legal obstacles might impact which route to parenthood lesbians and gay men pursue.…”

Attitudes Toward Motherhood Among Sexual Minority Women in the United States

“…It does suggest, however, that changes in social contexts, namely, more cultural and legal support for sexual minority women, would create a change in the parenting options that sexual minority women see as available to them. Indeed, Riskind, Patterson, and Nosek (2013) found that sexual minorities living in unfavorable social climates were more likely to express doubts about whether they thought they could become a parent. Future work should continue to address how social and legal contexts, along with race and class, might influence both how sexual minority women think about becoming parents (including whether or not they want to), as well as the routes and barriers to parenthood (Goldberg et al, 2009;Moore, 2011;.…”

Law and Family Formation Among LGBQ‐Parent Families

“…There's, you know, Massachusetts, New York, and California" (p. 376). Other work underscores the finding that legal barriers can negatively impact LGBQ people's perceptions about their ability to become a parent (Brown, Smalling, Groza, & Ryan, 2009;Riskind, Patterson, & Nosek, 2013;Wall, 2011). For instance, based on analysis of survey data from 1,098 gays and lesbians without children, Riskind et al (2013) found that those living in favorable social and legal climates believed they could become parents while those in unfavorable social and legal climates were more likely to report doubts as to whether they could become parents.…”