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Lesbian and Queer Mothers Navigating the Adoption System
The impacts on mental health
Lori Ross
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada
Rachel Epstein
LGBT Parenting Network, Sherbourne Health Centre, Toronto, Canada
Corrie Goldfinger
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Canada
Leah Steele
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Canada
Scott Anderson
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Canada
Carol Strike
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Canada
Abstract
Increasing numbers of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ) people are choosing to parent through adoption. The minimal research available, focused particularly on lesbian and gay adoptive parents, suggests they face significant barriers to adoption (including being held to a higher standard than heterosexual adoptive parents), homophobia from child welfare professionals, and limited social support post-adoption.
These issues have significant implications for the mental health of LGBTQ adoptive parents, but have not been researched to date. Seven interviews were conducted with Canadian lesbian and queer adoptive parents to examine the mental health impact of adoption and identify barriers to accessing health and social services.
Adoptive parents described multiple challenges related to the adoption process and becoming a parent. Further research is needed to identify the long-term mental health effects of the stress of the adoption process on lesbian and queer parents, and their need for support services.
Keywords
lesbian, adoption, mental health, adoptive parents, sociology
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