Society gives women and men roles within a relationship; parenting roles are distributed according to the sex of the parents. How are parenting roles distributed when there is a family with two parents of the same sex? New techniques of parenting must be applied to make a family such as this successful. Parents of such families, although different on the outside, have morals that go along with society on which to raise their children. Children of homosexual parents have problems just like the children of heterosexual parents; some issues differ in content. Homosexual parents, whether male or female, use slightly different methods to raise their children yet these children grow up to be functional members of society.
             Raising sociable children is difficult to do; this task becomes even more difficult when the parents do not conform to societies norms. Most lesbian mothers have had children prior to entering a same sex relationship.
             Lesbians are at a disadvantage in custody litigations when the issue of their sexual orientation is presented. "Judges and others who make decisions about family policy tend to assume that homosexuality cannot be compatible with parenthood under any conditions" (Lewin1993:165). This assumption is also applied in decisions about adoption, visitation rights and foster family policy. According to Lewin (1993), "Lesbian mothers perceive themselves, accurately, as facing the greater risk when this situation arises" (179). Lesbians are more likely than gay men to have custody or to reside with their children (Allen, Demo1995:113). It is safe to say that this is due to the stereotypes placed on homosexual men. In facing this ridicule from society, new techniques of parenting have to be approached.
             Regardless of sexual orientation, many issues in families are the same. Lesbian mothers may choose to let their children in on their life style or choose not to disclose such information to them...