Gay men with AIDS and their families of origin: an analysis of social support.
This article reviews the literature on the relationships between gay men with AIDS and their families of origin to determine why the family is not a principal source of social support. Several reasons explain the absence of the family from the support network, including the family's lack of acceptance of homosexuality and the relationship with a male partner; the stigma associated with AIDS; the inability of family members to communicate openly about homosexuality and AIDS; the lack of competence among family members in dealing with HIV issues; and overprotective, infantilizing behavior by parents. A sibling, most often a sister, is the family member to whom the gay man with AIDS feels closest and from whom he is most likely to seek support. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Kadushin
G
G
School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 53201, USA.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011287:Prejudice; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012944:Social Support