Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2006. / Title from title page screen (viewed on May 31, 2006). Thesis advisor: Leslee A. Fisher. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This study is an analysis of the social construction of lesbian and gay identities within the immediate family. The analysis draws on the insights obtained from in-depth interviews conducted with 39 individual lesbian and gay respondents and 22 parents. The thesis is organised into six chapters. In Chapter 1, I review past work on lesbian and gay identity formation and the disclosure of a lesbian or gay identity to members of the family. I argue that past research on lesbian and gay identity formation has not paid sufficient attention to the influence of the family on sexual identity construction. I also argue that past research on lesbians and gays and the family has only focused on initial disclosure of sexual identity to parents. I suggest that we can proceed beyond these limitations by examining the social construction of lesbian and gay identities in the family by focusing on two research themes: the internal theme which explores individual sexual identity formation, coming out to parents and developments in familial relations from initial disclosure to the present; and the external theme which examines lesbian and gays experiences beyond the family, for instance, the lesbian and gay communities and work. It also considers how lesbian and gay involvement beyond the family affects parents. The research is then related to a broad theoretical framework concerning the construction and negotiation of identities in postmodernity. The methodology for the research is explored in Chapter 2. I review etiological and structural approaches to lesbians and gays and the family and argue that if we are to consider sexual identity and family relationships, then it is best achieved through a qualitative approach based on grounded theory. This approach would focus on meaning, interaction and the negotiation of relationships between lesbians and gays and their families. The design and uses of the research tools, the sampling procedure, the pilot and main studies and data analysis are also outlined. The findings of the research are reported in Chapters 3,4 and 5. Chapters 3 and 4 examine the internal theme of the research. Chapter 5 explores the external theme. Finally, three conceptual themes are identified in Chapter 6, based on the findings reported throughout the thesis. This is consistent with the grounded theory approach, which seeks to theorise on the basis of empirical data. Firstly, I suggest that individuals are active strategists in the production of postmodern identities; secondly, family relations are constructed through discourse and social practices; lastly, familial and sexual identities and relationships are constructed in wider contexts beyond the family. The chapter ends by attempting to make some recommendations for further research.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 144-148).

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Clinical Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

No description available.

Bibliography: leaves 439-473. / viii, 473 leaves ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Examines contemporary textual constructions of lesbianism, and reconfigures psychoanalytic discourses on female homosexuality in a way more appropriate to the reading of representations of lesbian desire and sexuality in contemporary western culture. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Women's Studies, 1996

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2003. / Adviser: Laurence Senelick. Submitted to the Dept. of Drama. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-133). Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Social Anthropology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 244-254). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=1240693741&SrchMode=1&sid=12&Fmt=2&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1195570255&clientId=5220

Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Catholic University of America, 2007. / Adviser: Karlynn BrintzenhofeSzoc. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--Acadia University, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.