"YOU TRY TO BE SUPERMAN AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE": GAY ADOPTIVE FATHERS' CHALLENGES AND TENSIONS IN BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY

A body of literature has emerged that focuses on work-family balance among heterosexual fathers. Little attention has been paid to how gay fathers balance work and family, despite the reality that they too are likely affected by similar masculine norms. The current qualitative study of 70 gay adoptive fathers (35 couples) begins to fill this gap in the literature. Analyzing interview data through the lens of Voydanoff’s (2005) work-family fit and balance model, we examine the ways in which gay men’s experiences of work-family balance are both constrained and enhanced by particular demands and resources. Highlighting the role of gender and sexual orientation, we analyze the challenges these men face and the strategies they use to cope with work-family tensions.