Is Parenthood for me? Sexual Orientation and Predictors of Young Adult Parenting Intentions

• In Event: 1-209 - Rainbow Connections: Parent Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Child Development, and Family Dynamics

Integrative Statement

Disparities in the intention to parent have been well-documented for lesbian and gay compared to heterosexual individuals (Gato, Santos & Fontaine, 2016; Riskind, Patterson & Nosek, 2013; Riskind & Tornello, 2017). Less is known, however, about predictors of parenting intentions, such as qualities of familial relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships (Gato, et al., 2016; Goldberg, Downing, & Sauck, 2007; Goldberg, Downing, & Moyer 2012). Drawing on data from a large national sample of childless young adults in the United States, this study explored ideas about parenthood and ideal family size, and also evaluated socio-contextual predictors of parenting intentions as a function of gender and sexual orientation. Given prevailing norms, we expected that lesbian and gay individuals would be less likely than their heterosexual peers to report parenting intentions (Riskind & Tornello, 2017). We also expected that lesbian and gay individuals intending to become parents would report smaller ideal family sizes (i.e., they would intend to have fewer children). In addition, we anticipated that social and demographic factors would predict parenting intentions (Gato, et al., 2016; Hayford & Morgan, 2008; Riskind & Patterson, 2010; Riskind & Tornello, 2017). We also expected and social and demographic predictors would mediate the effect of sexual orientation on parenting intentions.


Data were collected from 7,600 childless adults (mean = 29 years of age) who participated in Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Measures of parental relationship quality, number of close friends, and romantic relationship quality were used to assess individuals’ social contexts. Logistic regression, analyses of covariance, and mediation analyses were conducted to examine parenting intentions and ideal family size, as well as their predictors.


Results showed that, as expected, fewer lesbian and gay than heterosexual individuals intended to become parents (see Figure 1). Those who intended to become parents reported more close friends, more favorable relationship quality with parents, and higher expectations of romantic relationship permanence; these associations did not differ as a function of sexual orientation. Thus, contextual predictors of parenting intentions were similar for lesbian, gay, and heterosexual individuals. However, some variables differed across sexual orientation. Lesbian women reported lower religiosity, less education, and less favorable relationship quality with parents than did heterosexual women; these differences explained 25% of the disparity in parenting intentions between lesbian and heterosexual women (see Figure 2). Gay men reported fewer expectations of romantic relationship permanence and less favorable relationship quality with parents than did heterosexual men; these differences accounted for 7% of the disparity in parenting intentions between gay and heterosexual men (see Figure 2). Overall, those who saw their social contexts as supportive were more likely to intend to become parents, regardless of sexual orientation, and contextual differences accounted for part of the disparities in parenting intentions between lesbian/gay and heterosexual individuals. These results underline the significance of supportive family relationships, and they suggest that qualities of relationships with parents may affect important life decisions among young adults.

Authors

• Doyle P. Tate, University of Virginia
  Presenting Author

• Charlotte J. Patterson, University of Virginia
  Non-Presenting Author