Lesbian Family Relationships in American Society: The Making of an Ethnographic Film

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

This book explores intimate relationships in lesbian families living in American society. From an insider's point of view, it examines how relationships within these families form and develop, what special concerns and problems result, what personal gains the family members derive from these types of families, and how motherhood and parenthood evolve. This work is a companion to Dr. Asten's ethnographic video, Intimate Relationships in Three Lesbian Families Living in American Society. Most of the literature on lesbian families compares heterosexual families to lesbian families and uses the researcher's perspective as the core unit of analysis. In contrast, this work is an interrelated filmed/written ethnography which is the result of participant observation and feminist participatory research. It includes not only the researcher's data analysis but also the participants' reaction to and interaction with the process. Providing a unique understanding of the diversity of the American family, this is an important contribution to the growing fields of lesbian/feminist studies and visual anthropology, as well as sociology and psychology. For a copy of the video, Intimate Relationships in Three Lesbian Families Living in American Society, that accompanies this book, contact Dr. Maureen A. Asten, 1 Fifth Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Telephone: (508) 799-9746.

Reviews

"This is a pioneering work, one of the few scholarly products that will inform its readers about the day to day lives of lesbian families. Dr. Asten meticulously documented how these families lived. She interpreted the data closely and stayed with what was said and felt by her participants. It is quite clear that she bonded closely with her participants and thus they spoke freely to her, offering her a wealth of information which she has carefully mined. She neither sugar coats the lesbian family relationships nor does she condemn them. She describes them in all their complexity with understanding and care."-Judith Frankel Professor, Educational Studies Program College of Education, University of Cincinnati
.,."an important and fascinating state-of-the-art description of combined visual and written ethnography. It also gives insight into a strong research positionality which seems to enhance the author's entry into the research site and her insights on the data."-Journal of Anthropological Research
...an important and fascinating state-of-the-art description of combined visual and written ethnography. It also gives insight into a strong research positionality which seems to enhance the author's entry into the research site and her insights on the data.-Journal of Anthropological Research
..."an important and fascinating state-of-the-art description of combined visual and written ethnography. It also gives insight into a strong research positionality which seems to enhance the author's entry into the research site and her insights on the data."-Journal of Anthropological Research

Author Bio

MAUREEN A. ASTEN is Assistant Director of Continuing & Professional Studies, Rabb School of Summer, Special and Continuing Education, Brandeis University.