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Abstract

It is an oft-heard lament that families are not what they used to be. This sentiment assumes that
families are static through time, culture and region. Families are in fact an ever-evolving social
institution. The family unit is responsive to social, political, economic, legal and historical
pressures and continues to transform itself due to these external pressures. Contemporary
Australian families have diversified from the romanticised version of the 1950's style two-parent
heterosexual unit. Many different family structures exist today. One of these is the gay/lesbian
family, or same sex couples parenting children. First, a basic understanding of the history of the
family unit is explored. Then, an explanation of gay/lesbian parenting and family units is outlined.
Understanding the implications for children with same sex parents is important as a midwifery
health professional to provide appropriate and responsive care to this type of family. Social,
educational, health, sexual, legal, and parenting implications for children of same sex parents are
analysed in greater depth.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Wilde, KM
Journal or Publication Title:	Nuritinga - Electronic Journal of Nursing
Publisher:	School of Nursing & Midwifery
ISSN:	1440-1541
Additional Information:	© Copyright Tasmanian School of Nursing & Individual Authors
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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