Envisioning future parenthood among bisexual, lesbian, and heterosexual women.

Abstract

For many individuals, becoming a parent is an important milestone. The current study examined attitudes and beliefs about parenting among a sample of 196 self-identified bisexual, lesbian, and heterosexual women. Results showed no differences by sexual orientation for women's desires and intentions to have children, their idealization of parenthood, and perceptions of their parental self-efficacy (i.e., their ability to care for a child). In contrast, differences did emerge by sexual orientation in aspects such as partner expectations as well as professional intentions (i.e., wanting a permanent position before becoming a parent). Bisexual women tended to anticipate lower partner support compared to heterosexual women. Lesbian women, however, had a greater preference to work full-time during parenthood and wanted a permanent position before becoming a parent compared to both bisexual and heterosexual women. Implications are discussed of how bisexual women's perceptions of parenthood are both similar to and distinct from lesbian and heterosexual women.

Prospective parenting: sexual identity and intercultural trajectories

“…As for bisexual persons, previous studies have indicated more similarities in their attitudes to heterosexuals than to lesbians and gay men (Riskind and Tornello 2017). However, Simon et al (2018) recently found no differences concerning parenting desires and intentions among lesbians, bisexuals and heterosexual women.…”

Anticipating Parenthood Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Young Adults Without Children in Portugal: Predictors and Profiles

“…Having a job and a source of income are usually seen as instrumental precursors to having children (Umberson et al, 2010). As mentioned before, these aspects may be particularly relevant to sexual minority individuals' parenthood decisions, given the costs associated to adoption and assisted reproduction (Mezey, 2008;Downing et al, 2009;Goldberg et al, 2012;Riskind et al, 2013;Blanchfield and Patterson, 2015;Simon et al, 2018;Tate et al, 2019). In this regard, Simon et al (2018) found that, compared to their heterosexual and bisexual peers, lesbian women were more likely to want a permanent professional position before having children.…”

“…Regarding financial aspects, during the last decade high youth unemployment rates and the precariousness of existing jobs have led to financial instability and to the postponement of family projects by Portuguese young adults (Oliveira et al, 2014;PORDATA, 2019a). In the case of sexual minority persons, both the stigma and costs associated with adoption and assisted reproduction (Mezey, 2008;Downing et al, 2009;Goldberg et al, 2012;Riskind et al, 2013;Blanchfield and Patterson, 2015;Simon et al, 2018;Tate et al, 2019) make entry into parenthood a more costly social and economic undertaking than for heterosexual persons (Riskind et al, 2013;Blanchfield and Patterson, 2015;Simon et al, 2018;Tate et al, 2019). In fact, Tate and Patterson (2019b) found that lesbian women perceived parenthood as having a considerable cost and that this alone largely accounted for differences in parenthood aspirations between them and their heterosexual counterparts.…”

“…Research question 1: How do parenthood intentions vary as a function of sexual orientation and gender? H1: We expected heterosexual individuals to intend more to become parents than LGB individuals (Patterson and Riskind, 2010;Riskind and Patterson, 2010;Goldberg et al, 2012;Shenkman, 2012;Baiocco and Laghi, 2013;Riskind et al, 2013;Riskind and Tornello, 2017;Simon et al, 2018;Gato et al, 2019;Leal et al, 2019b;Tate and Patterson, 2019a,b).…”

“…In fact, given prevailing societal prejudice and discrimination against sexual minority individuals, the interest in the parenthood plans of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals is quite recent. Sexual minority persons face many barriers when they envisage parenthood and that may explain why they express fewer desires, intentions, and expectations of having children than do heterosexual persons (e.g., Patterson and Riskind, 2010;Riskind and Patterson, 2010;Goldberg et al, 2012;Shenkman, 2012;Baiocco and Laghi, 2013;Riskind et al, 2013;Riskind and Tornello, 2017;Simon et al, 2018;Gato et al, 2019;Leal et al, 2019b;Salinas-Quiroz et al, 2019;Tate and Patterson, 2019a,b). Parenthood among bisexual individuals is also relatively understudied.…”