Same-Sex Parents' Hypervisibility: Effects of Panopticism and Reactions to Increased Visibility

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Bradley-Volz, K. (2015). Same-Sex Parents' Hypervisibility: Effects of Panopticism and Reactions to Increased Visibility. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

The purpose of this project is to determine how same-sex parents in the Charlotte, NC area are affected by homophobia and restrictions on displays of affection. This research is unique to the study of gay parenting in its focus on comparing gay male parents with lesbian parents, without focusing on a comparison to heterosexual parents. Rather than concentrate on the children of gay and lesbian parents, this study looks at the parents’ relationships to each other emotionally and sexually. 70 participants completed surveys which assessed parent and non-parent’s awareness of panopticism and its influence on their behavior and actions. 10 same-sex parents were interviewed for an in-depth discussion of how they relate to a homophobic Panopticon. Individuals in a same-sex relationship without children were used as a control group. The control group allowed for an analysis based on how the parental status of same-sex couples affects the extent of homophobia and displays of affection between couples. For example, ¼ of the parents interviewed regarded same-sex affection as more sexual than heterosexual affection. These parents feel that they need to be accountable to anyone in public, and that their affection will automatically be seen negatively. As such, many same-sex parents in the Charlotte, NC area cannot fully claim their identity as parents and queer individuals because of their de-sexualization and internalization of the homophobic Panopticon. A small minority, however, have rebelled against the Panopticon and have not allowed its gaze to determine where they are affectionate.

Details
Author

Bradley-Volz, Kathleen

Title

Same-Sex Parents' Hypervisibility: Effects of Panopticism and Reactions to Increased Visibility

Physical Description

1 online resource (55 pages) : PDF

Date

2015

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to determine how same-sex parents in the Charlotte, NC area are affected by homophobia and restrictions on displays of affection. This research is unique to the study of gay parenting in its focus on comparing gay male parents with lesbian parents, without focusing on a comparison to heterosexual parents. Rather than concentrate on the children of gay and lesbian parents, this study looks at the parents’ relationships to each other emotionally and sexually. 70 participants completed surveys which assessed parent and non-parent’s awareness of panopticism and its influence on their behavior and actions. 10 same-sex parents were interviewed for an in-depth discussion of how they relate to a homophobic Panopticon. Individuals in a same-sex relationship without children were used as a control group. The control group allowed for an analysis based on how the parental status of same-sex couples affects the extent of homophobia and displays of affection between couples. For example, ¼ of the parents interviewed regarded same-sex affection as more sexual than heterosexual affection. These parents feel that they need to be accountable to anyone in public, and that their affection will automatically be seen negatively. As such, many same-sex parents in the Charlotte, NC area cannot fully claim their identity as parents and queer individuals because of their de-sexualization and internalization of the homophobic Panopticon. A small minority, however, have rebelled against the Panopticon and have not allowed its gaze to determine where they are affectionate.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Sex role
Queer studies
Ethnology

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Homophobia
Hypervisibility
Panopticism
Policing Affection
Public Displays of Affection
Same-Sex Parents

Subject Area

Anthropology

Advisor(s)

Wayland, Coral

Committee Members

Brintnall, Kent
Katz, Peta

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2015.

Rights Statement

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

BradleyVolz_uncc_0694N_10844

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1314