Relationships, Marriage, and Family - Same-Sex Couples (SOCI 1306 Sociology)

Relationships, Marriage, and Family SOCI 1306 Same-Sex Couples The number of same-sex couples in the US has increased dramatically over the last ten years, which is indicative of larger societal shifts and more acceptance of LGBTQ people. The number of same-sex couple households in the US increased by 50% from 2000 to 594,000 in 2020, according to the US Census Bureau. This significant growth may be ascribed to a number of causes, such as the rise in same-sex couples, the rising acceptance of LGBTQ identities in society, and the rise in the number of persons who are prepared to come out as gay. According to a 2020 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, 1.5 percent of partner-headed households nationwide are currently headed by a same-sex pair. Significant legal and social developments have coincided with this shift in the population, especially in the wake of the historic Obergefell v. Hodges ruling from the Supreme Court in 2015 that legalised same-sex marriage nationwide. This decision affected sectors including Social Security, veterans benefits, and family leave policy by guaranteeing that same-sex married couples were entitled to the same federally required spousal rights and benefits as opposite-sex married couples. Before same-sex marriage became legal, for example, LGBTQ people had to deal with a lot of difficulties. They couldn't take family leave if their spouse became sick, and they couldn't even go visit their partner in the hospital. Thus, the legalisation of same-sex marriage represented a significant advancement in equality by giving same-sex couples access to the same rights and protections that opposite-sex couples had long enjoyed. Despite some obvious distinctions, same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples have significant demographic commonalities. Those living in same-sex couple homes are 52 years old on average, which is somewhat younger than the 59 years old on average of those living in opposite-sex pair families. Furthermore, the average yearly household income of same-sex couples is often higher than that of opposite-sex couples, at around $107,000. Raising children is one area where same-sex couples differ significantly: just 14% of them have children under the age of 18, compared to 38% of opposite-sex couples. Both married and single couples are included in these data, which illustrates the variety of LGBTQ families. Research has demonstrated that same-sex parenting is equally successful as opposite-sex parenting despite these distinctions. Sociologists Biblarz and Stacey's 2010 review of 81 parenting research revealed no conclusive evidence to back up the claim that same-sex parenting is inferior to opposite-sex parenting. In fact, compared to their classmates, children of lesbian couples had somewhat lower rates of behavioural issues and greater rates of selfesteem. This supports the idea that a parent's capacity to love, support, and stabilise their kid is more important to judge a parent's quality of parenting than their sexual orientation. Beyond the confines of the family, same-sex couples benefit from legal and societal acceptability. Studies showed that the suicide incidence among high school students decreased in places where same-sex marriage was permitted before it was made legal nationwide. Given that suicide is the second-leading cause of mortality for high school students and that LGBTQ teens are more susceptible because they experience emotions of marginalisation and unacceptance, this is especially important. Empirical data indicates that same-sex marriage legalisation positively impacted the mental and emotional health of LGBTQ people. For example, a 2017 study conducted by Johns Hopkins University revealed that allowing same-sex marriage was linked to a decrease in LGBTQ teenage suicide attempts, underscoring the wider socioeconomic advantages of this legislative shift. LGBTQ people feel safer and more appreciated in a more inclusive atmosphere thanks in part to the greater visibility and acceptance of same-sex relationships. All things considered, the rise of same-sex couples in the US over the last ten years is indicative of a major advancement in LGBTQ equality and acceptance. Legal developments, such the ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges by the Supreme Court, have given same-sex couples the same rights and protections as their counterparts in the opposite sex community, which has positively impacted their lives in real ways. Despite having a lower likelihood of having children, same-sex couples have demographic similarities with opposite-sex couples. Empirical evidence repeatedly demonstrates that same-sex parenting is equally successful as opposite-sex parenting; in fact, some research suggest that children of same-sex spouses may have somewhat better results. Furthermore, same-sex marriage legalisation has been linked to better mental health outcomes for LGBTQ kids, highlighting the wider societal advantages of this legislative reform. The growing acceptance and exposure of same-sex relationships will probably help advance the cause of equality and inclusion for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, as long as society's opinions remain fluid.