Birth Cohort and the Specialization Gap Between Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples

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.

Access to the labour market for gays and lesbians: Research review

“…01; Jepsen & Jepsen, 2015) and more probable to have both partners working (p ࣘ .01; Giddings, Nunley, Schneebaum, & Zietz, 2014;Jepsen & Jepsen, 2015). This appears to be true regardless of whether we look at same-sex households with or without children (Jepsen & Jepsen, 2015; only for lesbian couples, Giddings et al, 2014). Antecol and Steinberger (2013) identified a certain level of specialization in lesbian households, with primary earners having higher labor force participation than secondary earners.…”

“…The findings confirm H1. The specialization gap between different-sex and same-sex couples tends to decrease over time (Giddings et al, 2014). Lesbian (but not gay male) couples shift from arrangements where both partners work into one-breadwinner arrangements after legal recognition of same-sex unions in the United States (Dillender, 2015).…”

Demografía de las parejas homosexuales en España

“…En el caso de los gais y lesbianas que conviven en pareja, se observa, tanto en Holanda como en Estados Unidos, mayores niveles de participación en el mercado de trabajo y menor especialización, y además niveles ocupacionales más elevados, incluso después de controlar por nivel educativo y otros factores positivamente asociados con la ocupación (Giddings et al, 2014;Verbakel, 2013). Los resultados apuntan a la menor penalización por maternidad/paternidad para explicar esta especifi cidad de los cónyuges homosexuales y sugieren que la creciente presencia de hijos podría contribuir a aumentar su especialización (como se verá a continuación, los niveles de fecundidad de las parejas del mismo sexo son claramente inferiores a los de las heterosexuales).…”

“…In the case of gays and lesbians living together as couples, it has been observed both in Holland and in the United States, that there are greater levels of participation in the labor market and less specialization, as well as higher occupational levels even after controlling for educational level and other factors that are positively associated with occupation (Giddings et al, 2014;Verbakel, 2013). Results suggest lower penalization for maternity/paternity to explain this specifi city of homosexual spouses and suggests that the growing presence of children may increase their specialization (as we shall see below, the fertility rates of same-sex couples are clearly lower than those of heterosexual couples).…”

Lesbians: Social and Economic Situation

“…Other empirical research finds that fewer lesbian (and gay) couples divide labor market participation differentially when there are no children present, but the introduction of children into the household makes the patterns of the division of labor in lesbian (and gay male) couples more similar to those found in straight couples (Antecol and Steinberger, 2011;Giddings et al, 2014).…”