with children by the time they’re in their 30’s. In what is
believed to be the first study of its kind, social scientists have
found that many lesbian and gay youth have expectations of spending
their adult life in a long-term relationship raising children.
A recent study questioned about 133 New York City youths [kids in
rural areas might have different responses] on various topics –
including long-term relationships, family, and adoption.
Researchers found that more than 90% of females and more than 80%
of males expect to be partnered in a monogamous relationship after
age 30. About 67% of males and 55% of females expressed the desire
to raise children.Of those who expressed some likelihood, 58% of
males and 54% of females expect to be raising their own biological
children. Forty-two percent of males and 32% of females expect to
adopt. Sixteen percent of males and 14% of females expect to be
foster parents. Thirty-six percent of females and 17% of males
expect to help their partner raise her or his biological
children.
“We seem to be witnessing the mainstreaming of lesbian/gay youth,
with many of them wanting exactly what heterosexual youth have
always wanted – the whole American dream complete with kids and the
minivan,” Robert-Jay Green of the Rockway Institute said in a
statement. “Most agree that the primary issue is whether these
youth will be given the equal legal rights to realize their couple
and family aspirations just like their heterosexual peers. If these
young people realize their expectations, the LGBT community will be
a vastly different place in 20 years, with many more families and
children. The implications are staggering for how the lesbian/gay
community will be different in the 21st century than in generations
past, when it was mainly a secret society of singles.”
The study was conducted by Anthony R. D’Augelli, H. Jonathon
Rendina and Katerina O. Sinclair of Pennsylvania State University
and Arnold Grossman of New York University and published in the
Journal
of LGBT Issues in Counseling (Vol. 1, No. 4,
2006/2007, pp. 77-98).
[Crossposted at ProudParenting.com.]