Out in the country: Rural sexual minority mothers
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2011
Abstract
Rural and urban sexual minority mothers' parenting experiences related to sexual orientation were compared. Participants were 414 mothers in same-sex relationships with at least one child under the age of 18 years living in their home who was planned with their current partner. Rural mothers were more likely to be biological parents and not adoptive parents. Ruralmothers reported higher rates of discrimination from strangers and people in service or helping professions. Although outness for rural and urban mothers did not differ, for children, classmates' parents and neighbors were less likely to know the family's status in rural areas. Rural and urban mothers did not differ on internalized homophobia, social support, or stigma consciousness. Clinical and policy implications are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Puckett, J. A., Horne, S. G., Levitt, H. M., Reeves, T. (2011). Out in the country: Rural sexual minority mothers. Journal of Lesbian Studies (Special Issue: Rural Lesbian Life: Narratives of Community, Commitment, and Coping), 15, 176-186. doi: 10.1080/10894160.2011.521101
Publisher
Journal of Lesbian Studies