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eBook details

• Title: An Exploration of Lesbian Maternal Bereavement (Report)
• Author : Social Work
• Release Date : January 01, 2011
• Genre: Social Science,Books,Nonfiction,
• Pages : * pages
• Size : 195 KB

Description

The bereavement literature includes a considerable amount of research conducted on parental bereavement in cross-gendered (heterosexual) families (Donnelly, 1982; Knapp, 1986; Miles, 1978; Rando, 1986); however, prior to the present study, no research had been conducted on same-gendered (homosexual) bereaved parents. The death of a child has profound psychological effects on the family system, and it is a unique grief experience. This uniqueness may be attributed to the belief that children bury their parents and parents should not have to bury a child (or children) (Wheeler, 2001).Yet already marginalized, nontraditional families may face even greater challenges during the experience of parental bereavement, for a number of different reasons. Some relationships are not socially sanctioned. Thus, there may be disenfranchisement of the family unit and any children, whether by birth, adoption, or foster care. Social factors already present may complicate these families' lived experiences through, for example, disownment from family or lack of recognition for a partner or children in the relationship (Kurdek, 2001). Gay and lesbian individuals experience bereavement differently than their heterosexual counterparts, in part due to disenfranchisement. Disenfranchised grief occurs when a relationship is not recognized, a loss is not recognized, and a griever is not recognized (Doka, 1989). Homosexual families often face societal stigma and are "disqualified from full social acceptance" (Goffman, as cited in Siegal&Hoefer, 1981). This stigma often makes bereavement more difficult, because homosexuals are dealing not only with the loss of a loved one, but also with social nonrecognition of their loss. This invalidation may result in dire consequences for the individuals involved. Grieving may be protracted and intensified as the mourner suffers damage to his or her self-esteem. Feelings of guilt or shame may also lead to self-destructive behavior (Siegal&Hoefer, 1981).Though much remains unexplored in the area of maternally bereaved lesbian mothers, these social factors may influence both their sense of marginalization and the intensity of their isolation during bereavement.

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