Considerations in child custody evaluations with gay and lesbian parents: a qualitative study

Abstract

Even though gay men and lesbian women are often involved in child custody evaluations with previous, heterosexual partners, there is little research centered on which factors child custody evaluators consider when evaluating families with a gay or lesbian parent. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, surveys from 19 child custody evaluators were analyzed for common themes. The analysis generated four key themes that influences evaluator rulings when conducting child custody evaluations with a gay or lesbian parent separating from a heterosexual partner. Also found in this study are factors that evaluators feel the family court system deem important. Results from the present research demonstrate inconsistency between how child custody evaluators conceptualize and conduct evaluations that involve families with one gay or lesbian parent versus two heterosexual parents. Possible implications for training and practice are discussed.