Families Headed by Gay and Lesbian Parents: A Systematic Review of Brazilian Research Using Qualitative Methods

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: PS 13 Topic - Sex, Gender

Abstract

This study aimed to carachterize methodological strategies in studies regarding families headed by gay and lesbian parents through a systematic review of the Brazilian scientific literature. The searches were performed in the Web of Science, EBSCOHost, PUBMED/MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases, from 2009 to 2019 in Portuguese and English languages, and yielded 20 eligible articles. PRISMA protocol guidelines were followed and content analysis was carried on N Vivo. Thematic analysis of results revealed four broad themes: family conceptions: the historical importance of biological bonds and the affection as a possibility to build the sense of family; parenting access strategies and its its repercussions for the couple and/or in family relations; prejudice against sexual diversity, social support and the impact on family relationships; literary and media representations and expectations regarding gay and lesbian parenting. It was observed a greater focus on families headed by lesbian parents that assessed parenthood through reproductive technologies, cross-sectional designs using snowball sampling, individual semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Quality assessment showed that most studies did not describe researchers' reflexivity. It is discussed that theoretical and empirical research in the Brazilian context is required to better address family-based stigma and discrimination in such family configurations.

Authors

• Bruno De Brito Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
  Presenting Author

• Adriana Wagner, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul
  Non-Presenting Author