Gay Fathers - Hardcover

Barret, Robert L.; Robinson, Bryan E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0669195146 ISBN 13: 9780669195149

Publisher: Lexington Books, 1990

Affirmative guide details problems and solutions for gay fathers, their families and practitioners. Ranging from statistical to case history views, "coming out" to AIDS issues, Barret and Robinson present an in-depth, practical approach to living with and integrating an alternative parenting lifestyle. Extensive resource guide. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

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Review:

Written from a therapeutic and academic perspective and filled with the insights of gay fathers themselves, as well as the authors (Bryan Robinson is a professor of child and family development, Robert Barret a professor and psychologist), Gay Fathers draws on new research to explain the difficulties that gay men face in parenting, and the ways in which their own feelings about their sexuality can affect their relationships with their children. Originally published 10 years ago, this newly revised volume should become a principal resource for social workers, counselors, clergy, and gay dads, offering affirming solutions to problems in step-parenting, the complexities of adoption, and the grief that some men may feel in losing parenting privileges as they leave their straight marriages and come out of the closet. Other topics include gay spirituality, relationships with ex-spouses and with nuclear family, and how to come out to your children. The book features practical, readable, sober advice as well as a call for scientifically sound, longitudinal studies of gay parents and their experiences. --Regina Marler

From the Back Cover:

In the more than ten years since the first edition of Gay Fathers was published, the gay rights movement has made great strides. The most current research reveals that most gay fathers are good parents, raising healthy, well-adjusted kids. Gays and lesbians have become part of mainstream America and parenting is no longer seen as an exclusive right of heterosexuals. Today, more and more openly gay men are choosing to become fathers.

Addressing the revolutionary changes affecting gay parenthood, this greatly expanded edition of Gay Fathers includes a wealth of information that supports the joys of gay fathering. With wisdom and heart, the authors embrace the many types of gay fatherhood-unmarried gay fathers, single and adoptive gay fathers, gay fathers with intact marriages, single gay fathers, gay father stepfamilies, two gay fathers and a lesbian mother, and separated or divorced gay fathers-and offer practical guidance for gay dads and their families no matter what their situation.

This compassionate resource is filled with a broad range of helpful material and addresses many of the key issues that concern gay fathers:

Guidance for navigating through the latest changes in the adoption and surrogate parenting processes
Current facts about the most pertinent legal issues
New case studies that explore the strengths of gay fathering
Targeted information about successful stepparenting
Heartfelt advice for gay grandfathers
An enlightening guide to the spiritual aspects of gay fathering
A handy listing of useful Internet resources

In addition to affirming the rich potential of gay parenting, this intelligent book goes a long way to destroy many of the deeply ingrained homophobic stereotypes.

[Headline] If you are a gay dad—or love someone who is�this book is your hands-on guide to the joys and challenges of gay fatherhood

This greatly expanded edition of Gay Fathers contains a wealth of new real-life stories and up-to-date information that celebrates the power of gay fatherhood. Inspiring, definitive, scientifically researched, and experientially based, this thoroughly updated volume offers the most current data and concrete suggestions for dealing with the myriad and complex issues of gay parenting. Gay Fathers is the definitive resource for the more than one million gay fathers and their families and loved ones living in the United States and Canada.

"For gay men who have struggled to create a family in a world of bias and obstacles, this book is a wonderful tribute to the challenges and joys of parenting. Gay Fathers is a wonderful, honest tribute to fathers who have overcome all odds to make this world a better place for our children, an essential book for gay fathers and those who are considering parenthood."
—C. Ray Drew, executive director, Family Pride Coalition

"Gay Fathers, which was a wonderful contribution to the development of knowledge about gay men when it was first printed a decade ago, is even better in its new and revised form. Utilizing rich case examples, Bob Barret and Bryan Robinson give voice to a group that has for too long been ignored. In their examination of the many faces of gay fatherhood, the authors permit the reader to fully consider the complexity of what it means to be a gay father."
—Gerald P. Mallon, assistant professor, Hunter College School of Social Work, New York

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