A unique examination of the emergence of fatherhood among gay adoptive parents

When gay couples become parents, they face a host of questions and issues that their straight counterparts may never have to consider. How important is it for each partner to have a biological tie to their child? How will they become parents: will they pursue surrogacy, or will they adopt? Will both partners legally be able to adopt their child? Will they have to hide their relationship to speed up the adoption process? Will one partner be the primary breadwinner? And how will their lives change, now that the presence of a child has made their relationship visible to the rest of the world?

In Gay Dads: Transitions to Adoptive Fatherhood, Abbie E. Goldberg examines the ways in which gay fathers approach and negotiate parenthood when they adopt. Drawing on empirical data from her in-depth interviews with 70 gay men, Goldberg analyzes how gay dads interact with competing ideals of fatherhood and masculinity, alternately pioneering and accommodating heteronormative “parenthood culture.” The first study of gay men's transitions to fatherhood, this work will appeal to a wide range of readers, from those in the social sciences to social work to legal studies, as well as to gay-adoptive parent families themselves.

"In sum, Gay Dads is an important contribution to the literature on same-sex parenting. It is a study that offers a specific window into the transition to parenthood for gay men via adoption and paints a picture of the variety of decisions, challenges, and joys men face as they create families together. More broadly, it is a well-conducted study that challenges readers to expand their understanding of family and the roles that individuals fill within thefamily system." - PsycCRITIQUES

"This highly readable text marks an important early step in the development of an understanding of psychology of adoptive fatherhood for gay men, and one that is accessible to a variety of interested readers. Beyond that, it serves as a thought-provoking platform for considering the ever-changing picture of family life. Goldberg challenges her readers to question how we choose to support and honor parents, both in our laws and on our sidewalks, and how we may work toward a different choice in the future." - Journal of GLBT Family Studies

"Goldberg provides a careful analysis of the results of a qualitative study of 35 gay male couples who have chosen to become parents through adoption." - Goldberg Review

"Overall, Goldberg has written an engaging and accessible book that provides a benchmark for future studies of gay male adoption. The book makes a new and important contribution to scholarship on contemporary family diversity and to gay families and relationships in particular." - American Journal of Sociology

"The descriptive aspects of this book alone are fascinating and serve to illustrate the complex and unique relationships among race, gender, sexuality, adoptive status, and identity. The books specific focus on gay male adoption is a welcome addition to the adoption literature...Gay Dads is an insightful, textured, highly readable, and original book. This book will no doubt be influential for both adoption and gay studies." - Adoption Quarterly

"Gay Dads is an original, engaging, and informative qualitative study of gaymale couple adoptions." - Routledge