Parenting, Family Life, and Well-Being Among Sexual Minorities: Nursing Policy and Practice Implications

Abstract

Parenting and family life are fundamental social constructs in human society and in law and public policy. Family structures and support systems provide important economic and psychological advantages for parents as well as for their children. Stigma toward lesbian and gay parents often marginalize individuals in these families and restrict family members' full expression of social citizenship, humanity, and personhood. Stigma directly contributes to increased risk for substance abuse, anxiety, and depressive illness among both parents and children. This article reviews the relevant policy literature to deconstruct the impacts of stigma on the psychological health and well-being of sexual minority parents so that psychiatric/mental health nurses and other health care providers can identify and counter these effects in their practices and advocate for policy improvements.

An essay about health professionals’ attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents seeking healthcare for their children

“…For this reason, it is essential that there is ongoing research that describes the interplay of various elements. Health care professionals need to understand the way families are changing and be cognizant of the various dimensions that can marginalize individuals and inhibit family health and wellbeing (64). The best way to equip practitioners with the requisite knowledge to respond to the changing need of the community is by providing them with research that enables informed policy and practice decisions.…”

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Parents Seeking Health Care for Their Children: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Invisibility within the setting of Western health care also occurs for same sex attracted women (McNair 2000) with failure to acknowledge a co‐mother's parenting role being perceived as homophobia from the healthcare provider (Gartrell et al 1999). Stigma towards LGBT parents can marginalise them (Weber 2008), and this highlights further the importance of training health professionals in issues related to sexuality and homophobia and in identifying and confronting personal and institutional bias (Stein & Bonuck 2001).…”

A descriptive study of the experiences of lesbian, gay and transgender parents accessing health services for their children

“…2011). Social invisibility ‘perpetuates stigma and shame and undermines a sense of the full meaning of life, morale and well‐being’ for LGBT people (Webber 2008, p. 609).…”