Families of Value: Personal Profiles of Pioneering Lesbian and Gay Parents

by Robert A. Bernstein

Millions of children in the United States have gay or lesbian parents, and the number of same-sex parents is increasing at an ever-expanding rate. But although many attitudes are changing, gay and lesbian parents and their children need protection and support as the heated cultural battle over same-sex unions continues to escalate. Families of Value offers a poignant defense of families with same-sex parents, and it does so primarily through the powerful...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560256389
• ISBN13: 9781560256380
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Powerful Argument for Same-Sex Parenting

Robert Bernstein knows how to make a point: let the subjects speak for themselves! This well prepared, eminently readable book tackles the currently high profile topic of not only same-sex marriages but more poignantly same-sex parenting. In an introduction Bernstein presents a brief history of his topic and a précis that informs us that the families discussed in the book are not randomly chosen: the families here represented are "leaders in bringing about the social change that is gradually easing the way to their acceptance." And so we are fairly informed that the contents of this valuable document will be skewed toward the hard work of some prime examples of same-sex parents and their respective children with the hope that reading these varying experiences will foster understanding and appreciation for the valiant work of the subjects chosen. Not that Bernstein is out to preach: quite the contrary, by translating in to eloquent language the trials and tribulations of six families of varying backgrounds and living situations he lets the histories make their own powerful points. The families represented demonstrate the fact that children raised by same-sex parents do not 'adopt' same-sex life styles because of their parents. The children here described reveal the peer punishment and rejection in the schoolyard, and yet in most cases once the children are open about their parents' life style instead of hiding for fear their peers will discover it, the children fit comfortably into the system. Bernstein makes many tender and important observations: same-sex parents (especially gay men) tend to make better parents because they desperately WANT to be parents in a society where they must struggle for the privilege as opposed to many straight families whose children my be 'biologic accidents in timing' and/or viewed as contributing to the financial and stability problems faced by those who marry too young. In addition to providing evidence that children of same-sex parents are sound, healthy and well-adjusted and that same-sex parents (at least those here represented) are passionately devoted and dedicated to the enviable privilege of parenting, Bernstein follows his book with Appendices that are informative, enlightening, and offer answers to frequently asked questions about same-sex unions and other sociologic avenues of interest that provide sound structure to his basic précis. This is an excellent book for the general public, especially at this point of time in our history, and it is also a reassuring work for the many men and women who are currently struggling with the public concept of their plight. Highly recommended reading. Grady Harp, June 05