Synopses & Reviews
Until now, lesbian families have had little help in identifying the stages of their couple relationships or recognizing the often stressful periods of relational transition. In this first-of-its-kind book, psychotherapist Suzanne Slater describes the joys and stresses common to lesbian families and provides a five-stage model of the development of lesbian couple relationships, from formation through old age and death.
Drawing on sixteen years of clinical experience and research, Slater shows that lesbian families with and without children have created their own richly diverse family patterns, extending both the parameters of coupled life and the very definition of what constitutes "family." She describes the tasks, challenges, and accomplishments particular to each stage of the family life cycle, and helps couples distinguish between normal developmental stresses and the unique difficulties of particular couples. She considers in detail lesbian couples' interaction with their original families, with the straight world, and with the lesbian communities of which they are a part. Through a range of examples and cases, Slater addresses how lesbian families are affected by their position in a homophobic culture and details the unique coping mechanisms that different lesbian couples have created. Most important, she emphasizes the sources of fulfillment common to many lesbian families.
In addition to educating lesbian couples and those close to them, this book will prepare psychotherapists to design more effective and informed therapeutic strategies. Instead of relying on theory based on heterosexual experience, clinicians can now base their interventions on what is normal for lesbian family life. The Lesbian Family Life Cycle will be invaluable reading for lesbian family members, their friends and relatives, and clinicians in a variety of helping professions.
Review
Thelma Jean Goodrich, PH.D.
Author of Women and Power: Perspective for Family Therapy
If you are a student of human behavior, your own or others', you have much to gain from this book. Slater shows what others have done while protecting the right to invent. What we read concerns the courage, creativity, and costs of accomplishing lesbian couplehood. What we get expands our sense of human trouble and triumph.
Review
Stanley Siegel, M.S.W.
Author of Uncharted Lives: Understanding the Life Passages of Gay Men and The Patient Who Cured His Therapist and Other Tales of Therapy
The author opens the inner door to the lives of lesbian couples where strength, fortitude, and inventiveness guide them through a life journey absent of maps or societal support. Our understanding of what family means is expanded and myths and prejudices are dispelled. Important reading for friends and family of lesbians and gays as well as mental health professionals.
Review
Judith Glassgold, PSY.D.
Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University
Slater's work is an excellent contribution to family therapy, psychotherapy practice, and gay/lesbian studies. Based on her clinical experience, and using many vignettes, she describes with insight and thoroughness the key issues for lesbian couples and families. Because of her balanced and accessible approach, both clinicians and the lay public will find this work invaluable.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 233-254) and index.
About the Author
Suzanne Slater earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan in 1979. Since that time, she has specialized in working with lesbian individuals and families and maintains a private practice in Northampton, Massachusetts. Lecturing and writing on issues relevant to lesbian families' lives, Ms. Slater also serves as a member of The Stone Center at Wellesley College.