Barriers and Stigma Experienced by Gay Fathers and Their Children

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Gay men become fathers through diverse pathways, including adoption, surrogacy, and co-parenting with lesbian women.
• Despite societal progress, gay fathers and their children encounter stigma, negatively impacting well-being.
• Stigma is linked to adverse mental health outcomes, including psychiatric symptoms and suicidality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the barriers and stigma experienced by gay fathers in the United States.
• To explore the relationship between legal/social protections and experiences of stigma for gay fathers.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to gay fathers across the United States, utilizing a snowball sampling method.
• The survey collected data from 732 respondents regarding their pathways to fatherhood, encountered barriers, and experiences of stigma.
• Data were analyzed to identify patterns in barriers and stigma across different social contexts and geographic locations.

Main Results:

• Gay fatherhood pathways vary by socioeconomic status and state-level legal protections.
• Respondents most frequently reported barriers and stigma in religious institutions.
• Fewer barriers and less stigma were reported by fathers residing in states with greater legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Conclusions:

• Barriers and stigma persist for gay fathers despite increasing acceptance of same-gender parenting.
• State-level legal and social protections are effective in mitigating stigma experienced by gay fathers.
• Further research is needed to address the ongoing challenges faced by gay fathers and their families.