Lesbian and Gay Youth's Aspirations for Marriage and Raising Children

TLDR

The study recommends that counselors with lesbian and gay youth explore their expectations for relationships and child‑rearing. The authors interviewed 133 lesbian and gay youth about their interests in long‑term relationships, same‑sex marriage, and parenthood. The survey found that 33 % of males and 50 % of females considered long‑term relationships extremely important, 61 % of males and 82 % of females expected monogamy, 33 % of males and 66 % of females were likely to marry, and only 14 % of males and 4 females were uninterested in raising children.

Abstract

ABSTRACT One hundred and thirty-three lesbian and gay youth were interviewed about their interests in long-term relationships, same-sex marriage, and becoming parents. One-third of the males and one-half of the females considered future long-term relationships extremely important; 61% of the males and 82% of the females expected such relationships to be monogamous. One-third of the males and two-thirds of the females said they would very likely marry. Only 14% of the males and four females were disinterested in raising children. Counselors working with lesbian and gay youth should explore youth's expectations for relationships and for child-rearing.