Dr. Lofas was interviewed by Larry Bilotta of Relationship Revelation Radio, where she discussed about same sex couples and remarriage.
By: Jeannette Lofas, PhD, LCSW
Dynamics may be the same as the heterosexual couple, however the way same sex couples deal with is may be quite different. Since I have 30 years plus of expertise on SSC here are some of my insights. A good number of my clients are same sex couples:
There are hundreds of triggers in any stepfamily that can pave the way to divorce, if not addressed and normalized. For example rejection is a typical factor in the stepfamily. In my experience SSC have had to handle rejection for much of their lives and are more facile in dealing with it. But it may still haunt their union. The cardinal issue is blood vs. sex. That is to say in the intact family the force of biological connection and the sexual connection are unified. In the stepfamily these powerful forces compete. Instead of the child being a blessing to the couple it is often an alien intrusion. This true for the straight couple as well. The issue of who comes first-- the partner or the child -- further complicates this dilemma. The stumbling block may be assuaged by SSC because PLANING is generally more endemic to their survival. These few generalities clearly do not apply to all same sex couples. There may be SSC as cruel, wicked and dysfunctional as the worst heterosexual couple. This is a fascinating and exciting new area of study. Stay tuned. Author's note: There may be much for us to learn from SSC in step. Please note: As part of our ongoing study we are interested in hearing from and speaking with same sex couples in stepfamilies about their experiences and insights. We are looking to film a lively roundtable discussion. All participants will get a copy. |
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AuthorJeannette Lofas, Ph.D, LCSW President and Founder of Stepfamily Foundation, Inc., Dr. Lofas has been managing stepfamilies for thirty years. In 1995 Lofas received a presidential award for her work. Research reports that she has an 84% success rate. A stepchild and stepmother herself, she is considered to be the leading authority on stepfamilies. Dr. Lofas has written five books: Living In Step, McGraw-Hill, Stepparenting, Citadel, How to Be a Stepparent, Nightingale Connant; He's OK, She's OK: Honoring the Differences Between Men & Women, and Tzedakah, Family Rules, Kensington Books.
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