A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Gay Fatherhood in Alberta
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University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2014-04-04 The Authentic Self: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Gay Fatherhood in Alberta Roughley, Robert Roughley, R. (2014). The Authentic Self: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Gay Fatherhood in Alberta (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28016 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/1401 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Authentic Self: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Gay Fatherhood in Alberta by Robert Allan Roughley A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DIVISION OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY CALGARY, ALBERTA JANUARY, 2014 © Robert Allan Roughley 2014 ii ABSTRACT Over the past 6 decades, research exploring gay fatherhood has told many interesting and often conflicting stories of gay men as parents. Within the current landscape of gay fatherhood in Canada, very little research exists that informs counselling practitioners of the processes in which gay men navigate in their roles as fathers. This grounded theory study explores the processes gay fathers in Alberta, once married to women with children, negotiate as they experience key developmental milestones. Based on the identity transitions of 12 gay fathers, 6 categories emerged: (a) foundational years, (b) the sexual self, (c) becoming and fatherhood, (d) shifting of identity, (e) protection and place, and (f) the authentic self. Contributions to the academic and professional literature are discussed. Recommendations for future research are identified and discussed. Keywords: gay fatherhood, transitions, identity development iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to initiate these acknowledgments by recognizing Dr. Kevin Alderson for his ongoing support, advocacy, kindness, and expertise. Together, we created a chapter publication and conference presentations to advance the landscape of queer affirmative practice in Canada. Dr. Fiona Nelson, thank you for your kindness, expertise, and empathetic support. The foundation you established in your brave research exploring lesbian motherhood in Canada gave me the courage to move forward with both a new methodology and topic of great significance in Canada. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. John Manzo for brining your amazing expertise, probing questions, and encouragement to the completion of this dissertation. Additionally, I would like to thank Drs. Nancy Arthur, Christine Walsh, and Jac Andrews for joining my committee in the co-creation of social justice practice during my candidacy examination. A special and warm hug is extended to Edith Mandeville for enduring the impossible and always making me feel welcome as a graduate student and human being in the Division of Applied Counselling Psychology. A very special thank you is extended to Dr. Andrew Estefan (Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary) for his friendship, expertise, and opportunities. To my very special friends and colleagues within the Faculty of Education: Drs. Meadow Schroeder, Kyle Schalk, Jennifer Thannhauser, Lara Schultz, and Don Zeman. From the Teaching and Learning Centre at the University of Calgary, I would like to Carol Berenson, Lorraine Letkemann, Dr. Patricia Dyjur, Rachelle Haddock, Grace Hansen, Rosalie Pedersen, John Penton, and Dr. Randy Garrison for supporting me and enduring my frustrations, tears, and moments of intellectual psychobabble. A special thank you to Mary-Jane Leeder for going above and beyond in her everyday endeavours. iv To my colleagues and amazing graduate students from City University of Seattle, Canadian Programs, I wish to thank Drs. Arden Henley, Deena Martin, Steven Cowan, and soon to be Drs. Ivana Djuraskovic, Jacqui Linders, and Colin Sanders. Finally to all the amazing graduate students in counselling psychology that have provided me with encouragement and support in the final stages of my doctoral completion! I would like to acknowledge my family, Carole and Don Roughley, for always checking in on my progress and loving me unconditionally as their gay son and brother. To my sisters, Deanna and Audra, thank you for your empathetic ears and challenging me when I felt I could not move forward in completing this degree. To Christopher, Cait, Aishling, Heather, Caterina, my friends, and my colleagues: Thank you for your humour and unconditional support during the final 6 months of this journey. To my forever friend, Brenda Hoddinott – I would not be here today if it weren’t for you! Finally, to the 12 gay fathers that shared their experiences and trusted me with their stories: Thank you! Without your contribution, this would not have taken place. v DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the late David Roughley for providing me with courage to be the confident gay man I am today. Your story provided me with the inspiration to take my doctoral dissertation to a very important space. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………...ii Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………iii Dedication………………………………………………………………………………………....v Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………………vi List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………………...x List of Figures………………………………………………………………………………….....xi Epigraph………………………………………………………………………………………….xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………1 Outline of the Chapter…......................................................................................................3 My Connection to the Research…………………………………………………………...3 Personal story……………………………………………………………………...4 Professional interest and gay affirmative counselling…………………………….6 Definition of Key Terms…………………………………………………………………..7 Fatherhood ...……………………………………………………………………...7 Gay Fatherhood…………………………………………………………………....7 Coming Out………………………………………………………………………..8 Transitions…………………………………………………………………………8 Purpose of the Study………………………………………………………………………9 Research Question……………………………………………………………….10 Potential Significance of the Study………………………………………………………10 Significance for Professional Practice…………………………………………...11 Theoretical Importance…………………………………………………………..11 Social Implications……………………………………………………………….12 Personal Impact…………………………………………………………………..12 Biases and Assumptions…………………………………………………………………13 Organization of the Dissertation………………………………………………………....14 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE………………………………………………15 Historical Implications of Homosexuality and Counselling Psychology………………..15 Homosexuality and the Medical Model………………………………………….15 Homosexuality and Mental Health………………………………………………16 Declassification of homosexuality……………………………………….17 Affirmative Approaches………………………………………………………….17 Homophobia and Heterosexism………………………………………………………….18 Male Identity Development……………………………………………………………...20 Male Identity Development and Masculinities…………………………………..20 Hegemonic masculinities………………………………………………...20 Marginalized masculinities………………………………………………21 Gender Socialization and Gender-Role Strain…………………………………...22 Theories of Gay Identity Development…………………………………………………..24 Stage Models of Gay Identity……………………………………………………25 Flexible Models of Gay Identity…………………………………………………26 Ecological Model of Gay Identity………………………………………………..26 vii Multiple Intersecting Identities Models………………………………………….27 The Formation and Experiences of Gay Fatherhood…………………………………….28 Fatherhood Identity………………………………………………………………29 Same-Sex Parenting……………………………………………………………...30 Gay Father Identity………………………………………………………………31 The Experience of Gay Fatherhood……………………………………………...33 Counselling Gay Men and Gay Fathers………………………………………………….35 Potential Presenting Concerns…………………………………………………...35 The Counselling Relationship and Experience…………………………………………..36 Counsellor Self-Awareness and Competence……………………………………36 The Counselling Relationship……………………………………………………37 The Counselling Experience……………………………………………………..38 Affirmative Counselling as an Integrated Lens………………………………….39 Social justice efforts……………………………………………………...39 Culture-infused counselling……………………………………………...39 Ethically-based practice………………………………………………….40 Transformative learning………………………………………………….40 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………….40 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………….42 Methodological Rationale………………………………………………………………..42 An Overview of Grounded Theory………………………………………………………45 A Rationale for Constructivist Grounded Theory………………………………..46 The Role of the Researcher………………………………………………………49 Participant Recruitment and Site Selection………………………………………………50 Requirements for Participation…………………………………………………..50 Participant Recruitment………………………………………………………….51 Sample Population……………………………………………………………….52 Data Collection Process………………………………………………………………….54 Phase 1: Participant Acknowledgment of Interest……………………………….54 Phase 2: The Interview Process………………………………………………….54 Step 1: Demographic questionnaire……………………………………...55 Step 2: Intensive interviewing…………………………………………...55 Step 3: Interview debrief…………………………………………………56 Phase 3: Field-Notes and Memo-Writing………………………………………..56 Data Management………………………………………………………………………..56