A new study shows
that many lesbian and gay youths, much like their
heterosexual peers, expect to have long-term committed
relationships and raise families in the future,
according to an April 23 press release from Rockway
Institute.
A new study shows
that many lesbian and gay youths, much like their
heterosexual peers, expect to have long-term committed
relationships and raise families in the future,
according to an April 23 press release from Rockway
Institute.
The study
questioned about 133 gay New York City youths 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. In terms of adoption, 42% of males
and 32% of females said they were likely
to adopt 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."
Social scientists
Anthony R. D'Augelli, H. Jonathon Rendina, Katerina O.
Sinclair of Pennsylvania State University, and Arnold
Grossman of New York University recently published
these findings in the Journal of LGBT Issues in
Counseling. They report that the study may not be
representative of all gay youths in the country.
Researchers suspect that because the youths live in an urban
environment in which they are aware of the LGBT resources
available to them, "youth in rural areas might have
different responses." (The Advocate)
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