title: Ambivalence in Gay and Lesbian Family Relationships.
abstract: Intergenerational ambivalence-the simultaneous presence of both positive and negative dimensions of a parent-child tie-is a concept widely used in family studies. Scholars have clarified the measurement of psychological ambivalence, or an individual's own feelings of ambivalence towards others. Yet research has yet to demonstrate whether-and, if so, how-individuals characterize others as ambivalent. Moreover, relatively little is known about ambivalence in gay and lesbian families. In the present study 60 in-depth interviews were analyzed to identify what the author callsperceived ambivalencein the parent, sibling, extended kin, and "in-law" relationships of gay and lesbian adults. Perceived ambivalence is revealed through gay and lesbian adults' characterizations of family members' simultaneous positive and negative overt and covert beliefs and behavior. In addition, the author refines the concept ofcollective ambivalence, wherein perceived ambivalence typifies an entire family unit. The findings further revealed the importance of broader sociological factors, such as homophobia, in structuring perceived ambivalence.
authors.affiliation: The Ohio State University, Department of Sociology, 238 Townshend Hall, 1885 Neil Avenue Mall, Columbus, OH 43202, ( reczek.2@osu.edu ).
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reczek
keywords: ambivalence; gay and lesbian families; intergenerational relationships; mid- to late life; qualitative research