Psychology

Heterosexual, lesbian, and gay preadoptive parents' preferences about child gender

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Little research has explored the child gender preferences of preadoptive parents. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to explore child gender preferences (and individuals' reasons for such preferences) in a geographically diverse, US sample of 93 heterosexual, 61 lesbian, and 48 gay male preadoptive couples. Heterosexual men were the least likely to demonstrate a gender preference and gay men were the most likely. Individuals in heterosexual relationships were more likely to prefer girls than individuals in same-gender relationships. In explaining their preferences, sexual minorities often emphasized gender socialization considerations (e.g., their perceived inability to socialize a child of the opposite gender) and concerns about heterosexism (e.g., some gay men preferred girls because they felt a boy would encounter more harassment). © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Publication Title

Sex Roles

Publication Date

7-1-2009

Volume

61

Issue

1-2

First Page

55

Last Page

71

ISSN

0360-0025

DOI

10.1007/s11199-009-9598-4

Keywords

adoption, child gender, gay, lesbian, preferences

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