Making the Decision: Factors Influencing Gay Men's Choice of an Adoption Path

Abstract

No research has examined the factors influencing gay male couples’ decision-making processes in choosing a particular type of adoption. The current qualitative study of 32 prospective adoptive male same-sex couples illuminates that, similar to many heterosexual couples seeking to adopt, gay men identify a variety of factors (e.g., race, age, health of their adoptive child) as impacting what type of adoption is most appealing to them. However, this study demonstrates that they also hold unique concerns that are specifically related to their relational status as male same-sex couples. Given their sexual minority status, their decision making is often situated within the context of societal discrimination, which directly impacts the kinds of choices gay men have in choosing an adoption path.