Defining and measuring family: Lessons learned from LGBTQ+ people and families

Objective This essay discusses the challenges and opportunities of defining family in the context of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Background LGBTQ+ people and their families remain at the forefront of novel family scholarship. Interrogating methodological approache...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of marriage and family Vol. 86; no. 5; pp. 1450 - 1467
Main Authors: Fish, Jessica N., Reczek, Rin, Ezra, Pond
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Hoboken, USA Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2024
Subjects:
bisexual
family policy
family structure
gay
inequality
kinship
lesbian
social networks
ISSN:0022-2445, 1741-3737
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Objective This essay discusses the challenges and opportunities of defining family in the context of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Background LGBTQ+ people and their families remain at the forefront of novel family scholarship. Interrogating methodological approaches to defining family are critical for overcoming the continued marginalization and misrepresentation of LGBTQ+ family scholarship. Method We review and present select literature to frame the current challenges and subsequent opportunities for advancing LGBTQ+ family scholarship through the conceptual and methodological defining of family. Results Framed in a U.S. context, we discuss the oppressive and emancipatory consequences that have occurred through the project of defining family. We then highlight current challenges of defining LGBTQ+ families, emphasizing data inclusion and measurement considerations that arise when grappling with the methodological complexities of LGBTQ+ people versus LGBTQ+ families, chosen families and fictive kin, LGBTQ+ children in families, and consensually non‐monogamous relationships. Throughout, we present opportunities to address current shortcomings within family scholarship regarding LGBTQ+ families. We end with clear and pointed steps on how family researchers can integrate practical but nevertheless influential strategies to advance and enrich LGBTQ+ family research through intentional reflections on research design, sampling, and measurement. Conclusion Despite progress, family scholarship alongside current social events entreats a more intentional commitment from family scholars to measure and advocate for data and methods that properly illuminate (LGBTQ+) family life.
Bibliography:Edited by
Abbie Elizabeth Goldberg
ISSN:0022-2445
1741-3737
DOI:10.1111/jomf.12987