What can research tell us about bisexual father families?

Why study bisexual fathers?

I am currently conducting my PhD research on the experiences and wellbeing of bisexual fathers and their families. Bisexual fathers can face specific challenges as they deal with the societal associations of family life with heterosexuality, and expectations of masculinity in fatherhood. 

My research includes families headed by multiple fathers, multiple parents of different genders, and single fathers. Studying bisexual fathers across a range of family types allows us to consider how having an LGBTQ+ identity may impact parenting and family roles, including in families which appear outwardly heteronormative. 

I hope to use my research, not only shine a light on the challenges faced by this underrepresented population, but also to highlight their unique strengths. For example, bisexual fathers may be better placed to challenge typical models of the masculine father. They may also offer greater openness and acceptance of diversity to their children. 

What do we know about bisexual parents? 

Previous research on non-traditional families has often focused on same-gender parent families, such as lesbian and gay parents. However, LGBTQ+ families are much more varied than this. Studies show that 40 per cent of LGBTQ+ people in the UK and 64 per cent of LGB parents in the US identify as bisexual, yet bisexual parents are largely invisible within family research as they are assumed gay or straight based on their partner's gender, and their specific experiences and outcomes tend not to be understood.  

Existing research into LGBTQ+ families shows similar outcomes to families with cis-heterosexual parents, in terms of both parenting quality and children's wellbeing. However, as in any family, parents' and children's experiences and outcomes vary based on a range of factors, such as experiences of stigma and levels of social support. While existing research can guide our understanding of bisexual parent families, more studies are needed which highlight their specific experiences.  

Has there been any other research on bisexual fathers?

My current PhD research builds on my Masters thesis, for which I conducted 24 interviews with bisexual fathers. In this, I found they faced specific challenges relating to their bisexuality and fatherhood, such as concerns around authenticity when their identity was often invisible. Many of the interviewees were in different-gender relationships, meaning they faced complex decisions about disclosing their sexuality to people who assumed they were straight based on their family. 

I found that invisibility could bring both safety and discomfort. Many bisexual fathers struggled with finding community as they experienced stigma towards their bisexuality in both heteronormative and LGBTQ+ spaces, a factor known to negatively affect wellbeing. However, they valued the role of inclusive communities and self-expression, and recognised the strengths that came with being a bisexual father, such as being more willing to challenge gender roles and stereotypes. 

This preliminary study gave me valuable insights into the ways that bisexual fathers experience and manage their bisexuality within fatherhood, and I deeply appreciated the opportunity to listen to their experiences. However, I was conscious that I had not been able to hear other family members' perspectives, and I would have liked to have examined my findings quantitatively as well as qualitatively.   

My current study

My PhD research therefore aims to extend my previous study, addressing further questions regarding bisexual father families by taking a multi-method approach. For the first phase of the study, I did an online survey using standardised questionnaires to identify social, psychological, and family factors affecting fathers' and children's wellbeing. The survey data will shed light on the positive and negative impacts these factors may have on bisexual fathers and their families.

The second phase of the study uses qualitative interviews with bisexual fathers and their family members to understand their thoughts and feelings about the fathers' bisexuality and their experiences of family life. These interviews focus on the fathers' disclosure of their bisexual identity, everyday roles within the family, and communities they are involved in. 

Conducting interviews allows me to have a much deeper discussion than a survey, and lets participants share their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment. I hope that by involving partners and children in this phase of the study, I can use multiple perspectives to ascertain how family roles and experiences are affected by a parent's bisexuality.

Studying underrepresented populations

Researching an underrepresented group can be challenging, as participants may be reluctant to trust an outsider for fear of discrimination. Bisexual fathers can be difficult to recruit due to their invisibility, particularly as the majority of bisexual parents are in different-gender relationships. When recruiting for interviews, there is also a risk that only those who are particularly outspoken about their identity will volunteer, meaning the research may not represent the experiences of those who are less open. 

With these considerations in mind, I recruited not just through social media, but also by contacting various online forums, support groups and LGBTQ+ community organisations. These groups often had admins or moderators who could screen posts, ensuring that group members felt secure and retained their anonymity.

To try to ensure my research was as accessible and appropriate as possible, I attended a meetup for LGBTQ+ families in London to collect feedback on my survey questions, and conducted pilot interviews with previous participants from my Masters research. It is very important to me that I involve the community I am studying as much as possible during each stage of my PhD, and I received lots of invaluable feedback as a result.

I feel a great deal of responsibility to ensure my research is an accurate portrayal of the experiences of bisexual fathers and their families. During the interviews, many bisexual fathers told me how much they valued having a non-judgemental space to discuss their identities and experiences. Some even shared that they had talked about my interviews within their groups and community, identifying me as a trustworthy researcher. While this was encouraging, it made me more aware than ever that I needed to maintain my integrity and ensure my future research represented - and benefited - the community.  

What next?

Once my data collection and analyses are complete, I will look to publish my findings in academic journals, and share the findings with the communities involved and those who may be able to support them. By sharing my study findings with the public, I aim to showcase the range of experiences within bisexual father families and amplify their voices. For a number of participants, taking part in my study was a rare chance to talk openly about their bisexuality, and I have a responsibility to ensure that their perspectives are heard.

My research also aims to identify risk and protective factors, so this knowledge could be used to shape support and resources for bisexual father families, through charity organisations and policy makers. I am hopeful that my research will fundamentally advance our understanding of what it means to be part of an LGBTQ+ family, and provide insights into the lived experiences of a previously invisible family type.

Author biography

Maisie Matthews is a PhD student at the Thomas Coram Research Unit at University College London. Her current research focuses on family life and wellbeing in bisexual father families and is funded by the UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership. She completed her MPhil, researching experiences of identity in bisexual fatherhood, at the Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge. After her PhD, she hopes to continue working in research on diverse family forms and identities. 

Twitter: @maisievmatthews