Sameness and difference in research on lesbian parenting

Most psychological, social science and feminist work oil lesbian parenting searches for similarities and differences between lesbian and heterosexual parents. Using a feminist Constructionist approach, I identify four dimensions of difference that inform research and theorizing oil lesbian parenting These construct lesbian parenting as (i) no different from heterosexual parenting: (ii) different from heterosexual parenting and deviant; (iii) different front heterosexual parenting and transformative: and (iv) different from heterosexual parenting only because of oppression. I consider why lesbian parenting is constructed in these ways, by and for whom and for what purposes. I also assess the political costs and benefits of sameness and difference and ask whether psychololgists, social scientists and feminists should abandon their search for similarities and differences in favour of a more radical research agenda. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.