LGBTQ+ Families and Their Children: A Selective Review on Psychosocial Development

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 3, 309 - 316, 27.09.2025

Fatma Mahperi Uluyol

https://doi.org/10.35365/ctjpp.25.3.11

Öz

In recent years, research on the effects of LGBTQ+ parenting on children's psychosocial development has increased. However, a significant portion of these studies primarily compare heterosexual and LGBTQ+ parents and their children. Such comparisons are often based on heteronormative assumptions, which not only introduce methodological limitations but also create inconsistencies in research findings and hinder a multidimensional scientific perspective on the subject. Additionally, while most studies focus on the sexual orientation, gender identity, and individual experiences of LGBTQ+ parents, research on the quality of parenting practices and the ways in which LGBTQ+ parenting experiences are shaped by social and cultural dynamics remains limited. To address this gap, the present study conducts a selective review examining the psychosocial development of children raised by LGBTQ+ parents, the quality of parent-child relationships, and the impact of societal stigma on children's well-being. The relevant literature was reviewed for the period between January 2000 and August 2024. Findings indicate that children raised by LGBTQ+ parents exhibit psychosocial development comparable to that of children raised by heterosexual parents. However, these children may face social prejudice, stigma, and discrimination, which can negatively affect their psychosocial well-being. In this context, supportive family structures and high-quality parent-child relationships emerge as key protective factors that foster the healthy development of children growing up in LGBTQ+ families. Moreover, to mitigate the adverse effects of discrimination and stigma on these children, it is essential to implement more supportive policies and educational programs at the societal level. Finally, the predominance of studies focusing on lesbian and gay (LG) parents, along with methodological limitations, reduces the reliability and generalizability of the findings. Future research should move beyond a binary conceptualization of gender identity and instead acknowledge its fluid and multidimensional nature.

Anahtar Kelimeler

LGBTQ+ families , LGBTQ+ parenting , children of LGBTQ+ parents , psychosocial development

LGBTQ+ Aileler ve Çocukları: Psikososyal Gelişim Üzerine Bir Seçici Derleme Çalışması

Öz

Son yıllarda, LGBTQ+ ebeveynlerin çocuklarının psiko-sosyal gelişimi üzerindeki etkilerine yönelik araştırmalar artış göstermiştir. Ancak, bu çalışmaların büyük bir kısmı, heteroseksüel ve LGBTQ+ ebeveynleri ve çocuklarını birbiriyle karşılaştırmaktadır. Bu tür karşılaştırmaların çoğu zaman heteronormatif varsayımlar temelinde yapılması, metodolojik kısıtlılıkları artırmakta, araştırma bulgularında çelişkiler yaratmakta ve konunun bilimsel olarak çok boyutlu bir bakış açısıyla ele alınmasını zorlaştırmaktadır. Ayrıca, çoğu çalışma LGBTQ+ ebeveynlerin cinsel yönelimleri, cinsiyet kimlikleri ve bireysel deneyimlerine odaklanırken, ebeveynlik süreçlerinin kalitesi ve LGBTQ+ ebeveynlik deneyiminin toplumsal ve kültürel dinamikler bağlamında nasıl şekillendiği üzerine yapılan çalışmalar sınırlı kalmaktadır. Bu nedenle, bu çalışmada LGBTQ+ ebeveynlerin çocuklarının psiko-sosyal gelişimi, ebeveyn-çocuk ilişki kalitesi ve toplumsal damgalanma deneyimlerinin çocuklarının iyi oluşu üzerindeki etkilerinin incelenmesi için seçici derleme çalışması yapılmıştır. İlgili alan yazın Ocak 2000 - Ağustos 2024 tarihleri arasında incelenmiştir. Bulgulara göre, LGBTQ+ ebeveynler tarafından yetiştirilen çocukların, heteroseksüel ebeveynlerin çocuklarıyla karşılaştırıldığında benzer psiko-sosyal gelişim gösterdikleri belirtilmiştir. Ancak bu çocuklar toplumsal önyargı, damgalanma ve ayrımcılıkla karşılaşabilmekte; bu da psiko-sosyal iyi oluşlarını olumsuz yönde etkileyebilmektedir. Bu noktada, destekleyici aile yapıları ve kaliteli ebeveyn-çocuk ilişkileri, LGBTQ+ ailelerde büyüyen çocukların sağlıklı gelişimini en çok destekleyen unsurlardan biridir. Öte yandan, ayrımcılık ve damgalanmanın çocuklar üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmak için toplumsal düzeyde daha fazla destekleyici politika ve eğitim programlarının hayata geçirilmesi gerekmektedir. Son olarak çalışmaların ağırlıklı olarak lezbiyen ve gey (LG) ebeveynlere odaklanması ve yöntemsel sınırlılıklar, bulguların güvenilirliğini ve genellenebilirliğini azaltmaktadır. Gelecekteki araştırmalar, cinsiyet kimliğini yalnızca ikili sistem çerçevesinde ele almak yerine, kimliğin akışkan ve çok boyutlu doğasını göz önünde bulundurmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

eşcinsel ebeveynler , LGBT ebeveynlik , LGBT ebeveynlerin çocukları , psiko-sosyal gelişim

Destekleyen Kurum

Çalışmayı destekleyen bir kurum bulunmamaktadır.

Kaynakça

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