Most children of same-sex parents identify as heterosexual

A recent study published in the Journal of Homosexuality offers new insights into the sexual orientation of young adults raised by lesbian mothers or gay fathers. Research reveals that although most of these individuals identify as heterosexual, they exhibit greater variability in sexual attraction compared to their peers from heterosexual families.

The researchers aimed to address persistent societal concerns and biases regarding the sexual orientation of children raised by same-sex parents. Despite numerous studies conducted since the 1970s, there is a lack of systematic research focusing on young adults from these families.

Existing debates often question whether children of gay and lesbian parents are more likely to identify as homosexual, reflecting broader societal concerns and biases. In their new study, researchers Mar González and Francisca López-Gaviño sought to provide comprehensive data by exploring multiple dimensions of sexual orientation, accounting for gender differences, and examining changes over time.

The study involved 30 young Spanish adults, aged 18 to 36, raised by openly lesbian or gay parents. The sample consisted of 19 women and 11 men. Most participants were born into previous heterosexual unions, while a few were adopted or placed in foster care. To participate, individuals had to have lived with their lesbian or gay parent for at least two years while being aware of their sexual orientation, and they had to have been part of an openly same-sex family before turning 16.

It was difficult to access participants, given the specificity of the criteria. Researchers used a variety of strategies, such as attending LGBT family reunions, contacting LGBT groups, trade press and bookstores, and using the snowball sampling method. This approach involved asking participants to recommend others who met the study criteria. Most young adults were contacted through their parents, who invited them to participate in the study.

To assess sexual orientation, researchers used the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (KSOG), which asks participants to rate themselves on a seven-point scale along three dimensions: sexual attraction, sexual behavior, and sexual orientation. sexual self-identification. Participants rated both their past experiences and their current state at the time of the interview.

At the time of the interview, a significant majority (87%) of participants reported having had sexual experiences only with people of the other sex. This trend aligns closely with general population data, suggesting that the sexual behavior of children raised by same-sex parents does not differ dramatically from those raised by heterosexual parents.

When it came to sexual attraction, the study found a bit more variability. About 67% of participants reported being exclusively attracted to people of the other sex, and 20% reported being primarily attracted to people of the other sex. The remaining participants indicated varying degrees of same-sex attraction.

“If our results refute existing prejudices according to which children of lesbian mothers and gay fathers are themselves forced to become homosexual, they also reflect a heterogeneous situation and a certain degree of disparity or variance between the different dimensions of sexual orientation, as might be expected. “, wrote the researchers.

The gender self-identification dimension showed the greatest variability. Only 60% of participants identified as exclusively heterosexual, while the remainder identified at different points on the spectrum, ranging from mostly heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. This is a notable difference from the general population, where more than 90% of respondents generally identify as exclusively heterosexual.

Men's responses were mostly polarized, with 91% identifying as exclusively heterosexual and 9% as exclusively homosexual. In contrast, women's responses were more scattered, with only 42% identifying as exclusively heterosexual. Women also reported greater fluidity in their sexual orientation over time compared to men.

“The gender differences observed in this study, quite similar to those reported in relation to the general population, can be explained in several ways. One is related to differences in genital arousal, which is more “category specific” in men (meaning it only occurs in response to preferred sex) and more overt in women, regardless of regardless of their true sexual preference,” the researchers explained.

But the study's small sample size and recruitment method, primarily through parents, could introduce bias and limit the generalizability of the results. Future research should involve larger, more diverse samples and include longitudinal studies to track changes over time, the researchers said. Additionally, exploring the experiences of children from same-sex families in societies with varying levels of acceptance of homosexuality could provide additional insights.

The study “What about the sexual orientation of the offspring of lesbian and gay parents?” A Multidimensional, Temporal, and Gender-Based Response,” was published on June 27, 2022.