Social Work with Lesbian Parent Families: Ecological Perspectives

Use an ecosystem perspective in your social work practiceThe traditional concept of family as being exclusively heterosexual has resulted in myth-generation about lesbian parents as well as fostering limitations in the programs and benefits that support more diverse nontraditional families. Social Work with Lesbian Parent Families: Ecological Perspectives explores the variety of social systems with which lesbian parent families interact, with a focus on implications for improved, diversity-affirming service delivery and policy development. Unlike other literature on lesbian parent families, this revealing resource pulls together work on lesbian parenting from various researchers across a broad range of disciplines and presents this work from the ecosystems perspective so that the reader may view the experiences of lesbian parent families in a holistic way.The research in Social Work with Lesbian Parent Families: Ecological Perspectives goes beyond simple comparisons between lesbian and straight mothers. This useful text provides more complex research data, including both a more sophisticated view of the diverse communities in which lesbian parents are found, and more innovative ways of studying the issues relevant to social service providers. Developmental and life issues negotiated by lesbian parent families are discussed in detail using a strengths-based approach to intervention with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and larger systems. This unique book has the strong potential to influence the policies that impact lesbian parent families.Topics discussed in Social Work with Lesbian Parent Families: Ecological Perspectives include: the impact of public policy on lesbian parents and their families the experience of agency policy and practice in adoption employment benefits and the relationships between parenting and work decisions friendship networks and community support in the lesbian community the impact of individual and institutional heterosexism in service delivery diversity-affirming service delivery and policy and more! Social Work with Lesbian Parent Families: Ecological Perspectives is a valuable resource for social workers, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists, marriage and family therapists, public policy and administration professionals, students, and academics doing research on sexual orientation and family.This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services .Mercier, Lucy R. is the author of 'Social Work with Lesbian Parent Families: Ecological Perspectives', published 2008 under ISBN 9781560237556 and ISBN 1560237554.