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What We Know and What Remains to Be Explored about LGBTQ Parent Families in Israel: A Sociocultural Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Geva Shenkman

    (Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), Herzliya 4610101, Israel)

  • Dorit Segal-Engelchin

    (The Spitzer Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel)

  • Orit Taubman–Ben-Ari

    (School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel)

Abstract

This paper reviews research on gay and lesbian parent families in Israel through cultural lenses while recognizing the diversity of these families. The major aims of the review are: (1) to provide an overview of the situation of LGBTQ parent families in Israel, as well as of the sociocultural background of the Israeli context and its effects on sexual minorities and LGBTQ parent families; and (2) to identify the limitations and lacunas in the existing research and shed light on what remains to be explored. We searched numerous databases for relevant studies, adopting a narrative approach to summarize the main findings while taking into account the literature on the socio-cultural context in Israel and its impact on sexual minorities and LGBTQ parent families. The search yielded empirical results only for gay and lesbian parent families, with studies emphasizing the challenges they face and the factors related to their well-being and that of LGB individuals aspiring to become parents. In addition, it revealed that research on children’s psychosocial adjustment as a function of parental sexual orientation is quite scarce in Israel. Moreover, it indicated the absence of investigations of bisexual, transgender, or queer parents. We conclude that the sociocultural context of Israel, including its pronatalist and familistic orientation, may play an important role in shaping the experiences of LGBTQ parent families, and should be taken into consideration when studying LGBTQ parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Geva Shenkman & Dorit Segal-Engelchin & Orit Taubman–Ben-Ari, 2022. "What We Know and What Remains to Be Explored about LGBTQ Parent Families in Israel: A Sociocultural Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:4355-:d:787116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wendy Manning & Marshal Fettro & Esther Lamidi, 2014. "Child Well-Being in Same-Sex Parent Families: Review of Research Prepared for American Sociological Association Amicus Brief," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 33(4), pages 485-502, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maya Tsfati & Dorit Segal-Engelchin, 2022. "The Social Experiences of Single Gay Fathers in Israel: An Intersectional Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Geva Shenkman & Kfir Ifrah & Dov Shmotkin, 2023. "The Association of Couplehood and Parenthood with the Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being of Older Gay Men," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1419-1437, April.
    3. Maria Quintigliano & Nicola Carone & Anna Maria Speranza & Annalisa Tanzilli & Roberto Baiocco & Lavinia Barone & Concetta Pastorelli & Vittorio Lingiardi, 2022. "Adolescent Development and the Parent–Adolescent Relationship in Diverse Family Forms Created by Assisted Reproduction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Geva Shenkman, 2023. "The Mediating Role of Insecure Attachment in the Gap in Parenthood Desire between Lesbian and Gay Individuals and Their Heterosexual Counterparts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Geva Shenkman & Sigal Levy & Ziv Ben-Dor Winkler & Doriel Bass & Shulamit Geller, 2022. "Higher Levels of Postnatal Depressive Symptomatology, Post-Traumatic Growth, and Life Satisfaction among Gay Fathers through Surrogacy in Comparison to Heterosexual Fathers: A Study in Israel in Times," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.

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