The Lesbian Family Life Cycle [Hardcover]

Suzanne Slater (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 17, 1995

Despite the rapidly growing number of lesbian families in this country, until now little discussion has emerged of the particular developmental stages and common stresses that face lesbian couples. In this book, psychotherapist Suzanne Slater looks at the wide spectrum of lesbian families - one or two lesbian parents with children, newly lesbian mothers of adult children, the extended family of lesbian friends and ex-lovers. The book provides a five-stage model of the development of lesbian couple relationships, describing the tasks, challenges, and accomplishments particular to each developmental stage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Slater, a psychotherapist who specializes in work with lesbians, advocates what she considers gay women's "basic right to parent their own children." While conceding that many mainstream professionals and laypersons regard lesbian families as "inherently and fundamentally deviant," she emphatically disagrees. This scholarly yet accessible study sets forth a five-stage "life cycle model" of family experience for cohabiting lesbians, whether or not they have children. Stages 1-3 involve becoming a couple, solidifying the partnership through ongoing relational work, and the trials and deepening intimacy of the middle years. In stage 4, generativity, each partner achieves links to the future, whether through parenting, social activism or other pursuits. The final stage, the over-65 years, encompasses challenges such as retirement, increased togetherness, lack of income, health emergencies and "widowhood." Slater also discusses coping mechanisms by which lesbian couples deal with social rejection, homophobia and isolation.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Judith Glassgold, PSY.D. Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University Slater's work is an excellent contribution to family therapy, psychotherapy practice, and gay/lesbian studies. Based on her clinical experience, and using many vignettes, she describes with insight and thoroughness the key issues for lesbian couples and families. Because of her balanced and accessible approach, both clinicians and the lay public will find this work invaluable. -- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: The Free Press; 1ST edition (January 17, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0029208955
• ISBN-13: 978-0029208953
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,212,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)