Maureen Sullivan is Assistant Professor of Sociology, Northern Illinois University.

"The Family of Woman is that precious rarity - a genuinely original, profound scholarly work that is a joy to read." - Judith Stacey, author of In the Name of the Family; "Sullivan makes a compelling argument that lesbian families challenge, at root, the very basis of patriarchal familial norms, and indeed modern notions of biological fixity. A provocative, fascinating study." - Arlene Stein, author of Sex and Sensibility; "Maureen Sullivan's book is a notable document of the quiet social revolution that is producing new forms of the family." - R. W. Connell, author of Gender and Power"

• Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Emergence of Lesbian-Coparent Families in Postmodern Society 2. Becoming Parents: Baby Making in the Age of Assisted Procreation 3. Being Parents: The End of Oedipus and the Expansion of Intimacy 4. Undoing the Gender Division of Labor 5. Truth and Reconciliation: Families of Origin Come Around and Come Out 6. Becoming Familiar in the Community of Strangers 7. The Structure of Donor-Extended Kinship 8. The Theoretical Future of a Conscious Feminist Kinship Appendix: Families by the Bay: The Study Design, Method, and Participants Notes Bibliography Index

Maureen Sullivan is Assistant Professor of Sociology, Northern Illinois University.

"The Family of Woman is that precious rarity - a genuinely original, profound scholarly work that is a joy to read." - Judith Stacey, author of In the Name of the Family; "Sullivan makes a compelling argument that lesbian families challenge, at root, the very basis of patriarchal familial norms, and indeed modern notions of biological fixity. A provocative, fascinating study." - Arlene Stein, author of Sex and Sensibility; "Maureen Sullivan's book is a notable document of the quiet social revolution that is producing new forms of the family." - R. W. Connell, author of Gender and Power"

• Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Emergence of Lesbian-Coparent Families in Postmodern Society 2. Becoming Parents: Baby Making in the Age of Assisted Procreation 3. Being Parents: The End of Oedipus and the Expansion of Intimacy 4. Undoing the Gender Division of Labor 5. Truth and Reconciliation: Families of Origin Come Around and Come Out 6. Becoming Familiar in the Community of Strangers 7. The Structure of Donor-Extended Kinship 8. The Theoretical Future of a Conscious Feminist Kinship Appendix: Families by the Bay: The Study Design, Method, and Participants Notes Bibliography Index

Maureen Sullivan is Assistant Professor of Sociology, Northern Illinois University.

"The Family of Woman is that precious rarity - a genuinely original, profound scholarly work that is a joy to read." - Judith Stacey, author of In the Name of the Family; "Sullivan makes a compelling argument that lesbian families challenge, at root, the very basis of patriarchal familial norms, and indeed modern notions of biological fixity. A provocative, fascinating study." - Arlene Stein, author of Sex and Sensibility; "Maureen Sullivan's book is a notable document of the quiet social revolution that is producing new forms of the family." - R. W. Connell, author of Gender and Power"

• Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Emergence of Lesbian-Coparent Families in Postmodern Society 2. Becoming Parents: Baby Making in the Age of Assisted Procreation 3. Being Parents: The End of Oedipus and the Expansion of Intimacy 4. Undoing the Gender Division of Labor 5. Truth and Reconciliation: Families of Origin Come Around and Come Out 6. Becoming Familiar in the Community of Strangers 7. The Structure of Donor-Extended Kinship 8. The Theoretical Future of a Conscious Feminist Kinship Appendix: Families by the Bay: The Study Design, Method, and Participants Notes Bibliography Index