Changing Patterns of Family Life- Same-Sex Relationships

What are the reasons for an increase in same sex relationships?

• Greater social acceptance

• Changes in legislation

• Changes in attitudes to relationships

• Changing representations in the media

Why is greater social acceptance a reason for an increase in same sex relationships?

• Changing attitudes to sexual behaviours have led to an increased acceptance of same-sex relationships

• The process of secularisation has led to greater independence in moral judgements and acceptance that LGBTQ relationships share a common ground of love

• The work of activists- e.g. Stonewall promoting the LGTBTQ community has led to greater acceptance in society of same-sex couples

Why are changes in legislation a reason for an increase in same sex relationships?

• Decriminalisation of male homosexuality 1969

• Adoption allowed for same-sex couples in 2002

• Repeal of Section 28 in 2003

• Civil Partnership Act 2005

• Same-sex marriage was allowed in 2013

Why are changes in attitudes to relationships a reason for an increase in same sex couples?

• Gidden’s concept of confluent love and pure relationships- greater reflectivity of individuals leads to greater sexual fluidity

• Bauman- liquid love -people’s relationships and connections are based upon what satisfies their needs, rather than being constrained by social ties

• Evolution of views from one generation to the next- Generation X and Millenial generation more open about sexuality

Why are changing representations in the media a reason for an increase in the media?

• Up to the 1980s, there was heightened hostility towards the LGBTQ community in the media which typified my moral panics surrounding AIDs

• Greater representation of same-sex relationships led to same-sex relationships being normalised on TV, despite some initial focus on these being different and focusing on the trauma of ‘coming out’

• High-profile figures openly declaring their sexuality and becoming part of mainstream media

What are the evaluations of the increase in same sex relationships?

• Although there has been an improvement in the status of same-sex relationships, figures in the census may not be reliable due to social stigmas within some communities

• Similarly, it is difficult to tell if there has been an increase in same-sex relationships or if there has been a greater openness about relationships

• The broader range of sexualities and gender identities in the UK leads to difficulties in defining some forms of relationship as one form of sexuality- e.g. pansexuality or being asexual