Lesbian Mothers: Accounts of Gender in American Culture

Lewin's study of lesbian motherhood, which consisted of interviews of 73 lesbian mothers and 62 single heterosexual mothers for comparison, confirmed her assumption that the two groups have a great deal in common. It seems that single mothers, whatever their sexuality, tend to relate to their children as partners and count other mothers as better friends than childless people, and that the experience of divorce for heterosexual women often mirrors the experience of coming out for lesbians--both are steps towards autonomy. Perhaps the biggest problem for lesbian mothers is the question of custody, since their sexuality has been successfully used against them in court. Lewin, who has taught women's studies and medical anthropology, has a genial writing style that renders her research accessible. While the interviews were conducted some time ago (she began the project in 1977), none of the material seems dated, and Lewin's final chapter gives an overview of changing attitudes towards motherhood and families over the years as evidenced by newspaper accounts of topics such as reproductive technology and a custody battle between two female former lovers. (June)