Birth cohort and the specialization gap between same-sex and different-sex couples

Demography. 2014 Apr;51(2):509-34. doi: 10.1007/s13524-013-0267-4.

Abstract

We examine differences in household specialization between same-sex and different-sex couples within and across three birth cohorts: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. Using three measures of household specialization, we find that same-sex couples are less likely than their different-sex counterparts to exhibit a high degree of specialization. However, the "specialization gap" between same-sex and different-sex couples narrows across birth cohorts. These findings are indicative of a cohort effect. Our results are largely robust to the inclusion of a control for the presence of children and for subsets of couples with and without children. We provide three potential explanations for why the specialization gap narrows across cohorts. First, different-sex couples from more recent birth cohorts may have become more like same-sex couples in terms of household specialization. Second, social and legal changes may have prompted a greater degree of specialization within same-sex couples relative to different-sex couples. Last, the advent of reproductive technologies, which made having children easier for same-sex couples from more recent birth cohorts, could result in more specialization in such couples relative to different-sex couples.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Censuses
  • Cohort Effect*
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Heterosexuality*
  • Homosexuality, Female*
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marriage*
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Econometric
  • United States
  • Young Adult