Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Yoly Zentella

Abstract

Lesbian co-mothers represent a unique population whose alternative family structure has received additional attention resulting from legal changes permitting same-sex marriage. Challenging the heteronormative status quo through lesbian mothering offers numerous facets of familial relationship development and dynamics worth exploring. Prior research has focused on exploring how adoptive lesbian co-mothers navigate the emotional connections to their children; however, it has not adequately explored how lesbian couples negotiate unequal biological ties to their children and the extent to which biology influences which mother forms a primary bond to the child. This study explored the disparate role of biology and any influences on perceptions of equality or hierarchical connections in lesbian family relationships. Relying on queer theory, attachment theory, and family systems theory, a qualitative paradigm was used to explore the lived experiences of shared motherhood in lesbian co-mothers when there was a disparate biological connection to their child. The findings revealed experiential differences that occurred in shared motherhood specifically related to perceived attachment hierarchies, validation in the mothering role, and gestational envy. These differences were highlighted through seven themes in the data, including communication, parental desires, time spent, bonding activities, hierarchical attachment, gestational envy, and validation. The findings may be used by clinicians to promote positive social change by better understanding the family dynamics that may occur in lesbian-led families.

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