Lesbians and Lesbian Families [Paperback]

Joan Laird (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1999

This cutting-edge collection of articles examines the sociocultural context of the lives of lesbians and lesbian families and reveals how new insights about lesbian identities, experiences, and relationships can be integrated into clinical theory and practice. A family therapist, Joan Laird presents several clinical approaches to working with lesbians as individuals and in couple and parenting relationships and to viewing sexual orientation in its full complexity of race, class, gender, and cultural identity.

Rich with clinical case studies and research on the everyday lives of lesbian families, this book includes chapters on the strategic language of self-disclosure, the family lives of lesbian mothers, and lesbian mothers who "come out" to their adolescent children.

(Journal of Feminist Family Therapy )

Editorial Reviews

Review

Brilliantly edited. -- Journal of Feminist Family Therapy

Brilliantly edited. -- Review

Joan Laird courageously compels us to understand more clearly the everyday lives of lesbians and their families. This is an essential handbook for clinicians that is rich with clinical case studies. The authors focus on the special strengths of a group that defines its context usually from the margins of society. The assumption of heterosexuality in families is eloquently challenged. As Laird points out, working with lesbian couples may mirror the experience of working with any heterosexual couple or it may be quite unique. -- From the Publisher

Review

An essential handbook for clinicians...The authors focus on the special strengths of a group that defines its context usually from the margins of society. The assumption of heterosexuality in families is eloquently challenged.

(Jean K. Quam, University of Minnesota-Minneapolis )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231102534
• ISBN-13: 978-0231102537
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,036,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for social workers and therapists, February 18, 2008

By 

J. Giambrocco "howardroarklover" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lesbians and Lesbian Families (Paperback)

This is an amazing collection of articles that help to educate therapists and social workers working with lesbians and lesbian families. The articles provide unique perspectives and new takes on old ideas such as fusion in lesbian relationships. I find myself busy with the highlighter and page markers so that I don't lose important ideas that will help me provide culturally competent care. there are substantial references for further study as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking to provide care to lesbians and lesbian families.