The Social Experiences of Single Gay Fathers in Israel: An Intersectional Perspective

Abstract

Through an intersectional lens, this study explores the experience of being a single gay father by choice in Israeli society, which continues to view the traditional heterosexual two-parent family as the ideal. Analysis of 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with single gay Israeli fathers suggests that their experiences are characterized by constant tension between their self-perceived social acceptance and sense of belonging on the one hand and their encounters with discrimination and bias on the other. The findings shed light on the ways in which the fathers’ complex experiences are shaped by the intersection between their identity as parents and their two marginalized identities: single male parents and gay fathers. These identities were found to be highly contextual and affected by macro-level factors. As the fathers cope with their environment, they develop a sense of belonging alongside a deep sense of otherness, suggesting that the sense of belonging and the sense of otherness are not binary opposites, but rather two social categories that are continually constructed through the intersection between different identities and their interaction with macro-level factors, making single gay parenthood a multidimensional experience.

Editorial: Health and Well-Being Related to New Family Forms: Perspectives of Adults, Couples, Children, and Professionals

“…Of these, two focus on families headed by single fathers. Tsfati and Segal-Engelchin [ 41 ] investigate the experience of being a single gay father by choice in Israeli society, which is known for its familistic and pronatalist values. Using intersectionality as a conceptual framework, they demonstrate the ways in which multiple dimensions of these fathers’ identities (i.e., gender, sexual orientation, relationship status, and parenthood) simultaneously intersect with macro-level social factors (i.e., social biases and discriminatory laws and policies undermining their reproductive rights) and with each other, resulting in their concurrent experiences of sense of belonging to mainstream society and sense of otherness.…”

A relational investigation of Israeli gay fathers’ experiences of surrogacy, early parenthood, and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In tandem with both the increased number and visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) parents [1], scholars are paying increasing attention to questions around LGBTQ+ families and parenthood [2]. Although this body of research is diverse, one important strand centres around experiences of surrogacy-involving a third-party in reproduction where usually a woman carries and delivers a child for another couple or individual [3]-leading to parenthood among gay men and lived experiences of gay fatherhood [4,5]. Indeed, scholars have noted a rise in the number of gay fathers who are building families via surrogacy [6], which can be attributed to developments in technologies of reproduction, changing legislative climates around adoption, and greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ families [7].…”

Single fathers’ experiences of using egg donation and surrogacy to start a family

“…From an intersectional perspective ( Collins, 1998 ; Bowleg, 2008 ), the fathers’ relationship status as single, their male gender identity, their socio-economic status (especially considering the high costs often encountered with surrogacy), and other aspects of their identity, such as their sexual orientation, may lead to a unique surrogacy experience different to that experienced by couples. The recently emerging body of work on single fathers through surrogacy indicates that these fathers often simultaneously experience social acceptance and discrimination ( Jones et al , 2022 ; Tsfati and Segal-Engelchin, 2022 ; Zadeh et al , 2022 ). Yet, little is known about how single fathers navigate contact with all parties involved in the surrogacy and egg donation, and their thoughts and feelings about the surrogacy process.…”