Gay Family Ideologies

[Sonja Franeta]

I just wanted to let you all know that in Russian the word "semya," (immediate family) is used for both couples and a person or couple with children. I have done research on queers in Russia and this word is used by gays or lesbians about their partners. Definition of family is important. I don't think we in the U.S. use it the same way. What would you say? Maybe this relates to our culture of independence and living alone. I'm not sure. I'd love to hear more about what others think. 
  Also I can give you information on a study of lesbian couples and roles in the household and interviews i did in Russia that include the subject of children but there has been very little research on gay and lesbian families. I can check with another friend of mine in the field however and get back to you.
Sonja Franeta
  Laney College
  Oakland, CA
Valentina Pagliai <Valentina.Pagliai at OBERLIN.EDU> wrote:
  Hi Sarah,

Unfortunately I cannot think of any survey to suggest. Your post, 
however, made me wonder how we define a gay family in the first place. 
Or even, how does a family come to see itself as gay or not gay (or 
Queer, a term I prefer). It made me wonder also, how would a family go 
about presenting itself as gay, for example in their interactions with 
educational institutions.
Just some thoughts.

Valentina Pagliai
Oberlin College

On Oct 9, 2007, at 5:16 PM, Sarah Wagner wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I’m working on a project that looks at lesbian (and maybe gay) 
> parents’ ideologies about “family”, its construction and its 
> realization in their lives.  Because my broader research questions 
> deal with conversation and negotiation of roles within the family 
> context, my aim is to get a good look at what these parents believe 
> family is or should be for them.  Does anyone on the list have 
> knowledge of an existing survey of family ideologies that I could use 
> and modify for my purposes?  I greatly appreciate any help you might 
> be able to provide. 
>
> Thank you.
>
> Sarah Wagner
> UT Dept of Linguistics
>
> Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who 
> knows.
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