As conceptions of family in America have evolved, the Pew Research Center has sought to understand the experiences of LGBTQ+ Americans. While broad surveys have conveyed valuable information, the nuanced realities of same-sex parenting required a deeper, more qualitative lens. PSB collaborated with the think tank to conduct in-depth interviews with this population, offering a glimpse into their realities.
Our Approach
We knew only a culturally competent approach would yield actionable insights around the experiences of LGBTQ+ families. PSB recruited and interviewed a group of 30 same-sex parents—15 men and 15 women—raising children under the age of 18. Understanding that their perspectives are often hard to reach and underrepresented in national research surveys, we identified individuals who could offer authentic perspectives and crafted questions that brought real learnings to the surface.
Key Insights
The qualitative insights gained from these interviews show that same-sex parents often face distinct challenges. Here’s what we found:
- Overcoming Barriers to Parenthood: Many same-sex couples navigate hurdles on their paths to parenthood, from fertility challenges to complex legal frameworks and financial constraints. Becoming a family unit is often an arduous and lengthy process.
- Identity and Support: Same-sex parents often engage in conversations with their children about their particular family structure, fostering understanding from a young age. While some same-sex parents strengthened relationships with their own parents after having children, others continue to grapple with familial religious or political beliefs. Crucially, strong friend networks emerge as vital pillars of community.
- Navigating Acceptance: For some, the political climate of their state or town dictates their openness about their family. Many parents report feeling a sense of being in a “bubble” amidst less-accepting attitudes. Stories of others’ skepticism regarding their capacity and intentions as parents highlight just some of the issues they must navigate.
- Building Connections: The degree of connection parents feel to the broader LGBTQ+ community varies, with social media serving as a significant link. For many, the arrival of children deepened their desire for community engagement and advocacy for their rights.
- The Right to Be a Family: A pervasive concern among same-sex parents is the potential impact of current political dynamics on their civil rights. Worries about changes to state or federal laws affecting their rights as parents have led some to proactively secure second-parent adoptions, and inspired others to create contingency plans to leave the country if necessary.
- Future Hopes: Looking ahead, same-sex parents express a hope for a brighter future for the broader LGBTQ+ community that includes protection of their rights, greater societal acceptance of families, and a less arduous journey to parenthood for future generations.
Your Partner in Understanding Complex Audiences
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Check out the full report here.