Jessica L. Manning

Doctoral Dissertation Announcement

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Candidate: Jessica L. Manning

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

Title: The Process of One White Upper Middle Class Lesbian Couple as They Pursued Parenthood for the First Time: A Qualitative Case Study

Committee:
Dr. James Croteau, Chair
Dr. Mary Z. Anderson
Dr. Karen Blaisure

Date: Monday, November 8, 2010 Noon to 2:00 p.m.
3208 Sangren Hall

Abstract:
During the past three decades researchers have shown increasing interest in studying planned lesbian parenting. However, no previous studies have examined the process of lesbian couples as they pursue parenthood for the first time. Instead, previous research has typically conducted one retrospective interview with one or both parents in order to answer one outcome related query, such as whether a couple used a known or anonymous sperm donor. The current study is a qualitative case study that examines the process of one lesbian couple who is pursuing parenthood for the first time.
The participants in this study were Ann and Jane, a White, upper middle class lesbian couple residing in the state of Michigan. Data sources included 16 biweekly interviews, an audio recorded conversation, logs the participants completed daily, and documents used by the participants. Fifteen themes emerged from this study, within the areas of External Processes, Ann’s Experiences, Jane’s Experiences, and Jane and Ann’s Joint Process. Among other findings, the researcher discovered that the environmental processes around Jane and Ann as they pursued parenthood were much more negative than they desired (some of which were related to heterosexism and homophobia); Ann’s experience was dominated by her emotional reactions to various aspects of their process, while Jane seemed to value a rational approach to life, but rationality was difficult to maintain as she underwent this emotionally ambiguous situation, and Ann and Jane seemed to work together well as a couple.
In addition to the specific themes, the overarching impact of homophobia and heterosexism became apparent through the process of data analysis. Jane and Ann’s process was compared with Sue’s model of microaggressions by applying this model phase-by-phase to Ann and Jane’s experiences with heterosexism and homophobia (2010b; Sue, Capodilupo, & Holder, 2008). Suggestions are provided to guide future research about lesbians pursuing parenthood, including replicating my design elements, conducting additional research connecting lesbian parenting and microaggressions, and researching more diverse groups of lesbian parents.