same sex couples

• statistics 


  stonewall - 5-7% of adult population have same sex relationships, but it is impossible to judge if this is an increase as in the past these relationships were hidden due to stigma / illegality

  69,000 cohabitating same-sex couples

  2014 - 7% of children were adopted by same sex couples

  2015-18 = 54% increase
• increased social acceptance and increase in same sex couples

  male homosexual acts for consenting adults over 21 decriminalised in 1967

  age of consent equalised with heterosexuals

  opinion polls show greater tolerance of sexuality

  2020 - 92% of people said they were comfortable with a LGBTQ+ person being their neighbour / manager / GP / PM

  = social policy treats all couples more equally
• social policy and increase in same sex couples

  since 2002 - cohabitating couples had same right to adopt as married couples

  2004 civil partnership act - same-sex couples have similar legal rights to married couples with pensions, inheritance, tenancies and property

  same-sex couples have been able to marry since 2014
• WEEKS - increased social acceptance of same sex couples


  may explain trend towards same-sex cohabitation / stable relationships resembling heterosexual ones

  he see gays as creating families based on idea of 'friendship as kinship' where friendships become a type of kinship network, which he describes as chosen families, and that these offer the same security and stability as heterosexual families
• WESTON - same sex cohabitation


  = quasi marriage ( pre legalisation of same sex marriage )

  many gay couples are choosing to cohabit as stable partners, contrasting gay lifestyles of the 1970's which largely rejected monogamy and family life in favour of casual relationships
• ALLAN AND CROW - legal framework and same sex couples


  effect of having legal framework such as civil partnership act.

  because of the absence of this framework until recently, same sex couples had to negotiate their commitment / responsibilities more than married couples, which may have made same sex relationships more flexible and less stable than heterosexual ones
• EINASDOTTIR - legality of same sex marriage


  while many LGBTQ people welcome the opportunity to have partnerships legally recognised, others fear it may limit flexibility of relationships and wish their relationship to be different rather than adopt to what they see as heterosexual norms
• postmodernists and same sex couples


  reflects how society is becoming more choice based and individualised
• new right and same sex couples


  social changes such as more same sex relationships are threats to traditional nuclear family life and the cause of social disorder
• DUNNE and SMART - lesbian families


  dunne - lesbian couples were more symmetrical, sharing childcare / housework more equally

  smart - lesbians/gay men placed less importance on who controlled money and didnt view it as a source of power, giving them more freedom and flexibility