Ambivalence in Gay and Lesbian Family Relationships

作者：Reczek Corinne

来源：Journal of Marriage and Family, 2016, 78(3): 644-659.

DOI：10.1111/jomf.12308

• ambivalence
• gay and lesbian families
• intergenerational relationships
• mid- to late life
• qualitative research

Intergenerational ambivalencethe simultaneous presence of both positive and negative dimensions of a parent-child tieis a concept widely used in family studies. Scholars have clarified the measurement of psychological ambivalence, or an individual's own feelings of ambivalence toward others. Yet research has yet to demonstrate whetherand, if so, howindividuals characterize others as ambivalent. Moreover, relatively little is known about ambivalence in gay and lesbian families. In the present study 60 in-depth interviews were analyzed to identify what the author calls perceived ambivalence in the parent, sibling, extended kin, and in-law relationships of gay and lesbian adults. Perceived ambivalence is revealed through gay and lesbian adults' characterizations of family members' simultaneous positive and negative overt and covert beliefs and behavior. In addition, the author refines the concept of collective ambivalence, wherein perceived ambivalence typifies an entire family unit. The findings further revealed the importance of broader sociological factors, such as homophobia, in structuring perceived ambivalence.

• 出版日期2016-6