Thursday, December 3, 2009

A book you should read...

John and I have been long time participants in Abbie Goldberg's (of Clark University) Transition to Adoptive Parenthood Project (TAPP). The study "is aimed at exploring the transition to adoptive parenthood in a diverse group of families." As such, when we got word that the APA would publish her most recent book - Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children: Research on the Family Life Cycle- we went to Amazon and pre-ordered the book. I assumed that the book would be interesting, but more than anything I wanted to buy it to show my support for Abbie and her talented team of assistants. The book is billed as "a comprehensive overview of the research on same-sex parenting.." and after reading it I have to firmly agree with that description. As gay man, and now parent, I found it extremely interesting to read.

I could easily relate to many of the challenges and benefits of same-sex parenting that are discussed, and it also added plenty of things for me to think about our child's future. It's amazing to me the vastly different experiences that gays and lesbians experience. I was lucky enough to grow up in an environment that was very accepting of diversity, and to this day have never experienced first hand overt discrimination as a result of being an out, gay man. With that being said, I do recognize that there are many, many, many other LGBT who have not had that same luck, and Abbie's research overview makes it abundantly clear that there is so much more work to be done if we want to live in a world where LGBT folks are considered equals.

Anyway - it's just a really interesting, unique read. You should seriously consider learning about Abbie Goldberg's research by clicking HERE, or buy her most recent book by clicking HERE.

Thanks for reading.
~W

2 comments:

  1. I'll look into getting it. Sounds like it would be good to read.
    Jason

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  2. Leave it to a team of Clarkies to conduct amazing research on gay and lesbian parents : ) I love when I get to be proud of my Alma Mater! I'll definitely check the book out!

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