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Sexuality Research and Social Policy

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22-08-2020

Anticipation of Stigma upon Parenthood Impacts Parenting Aspirations in the LGB Community in Israel

Author: Geva Shenkman

Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy | Issue 3/2021

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Abstract

Introduction

This study compared childless Israeli lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals to their heterosexual counterparts on anticipation of stigma upon parenthood and assessed its mediating role in the association between being a member of a sexual minority and lower parenting desires, intentions, and likelihood estimations.

Methods

A total of 612 childless participants (174 self-reported as LGB people) ranging in age from 18 to 49 (M = 31.18, SD = 3.89) were recruited through convenience sampling between November 2019 and February 2020. They completed online questionnaires assessing their anticipation of stigma upon parenthood, parenting desires, intentions, and likelihood estimations.

Results

LGB individuals reported a higher anticipation of stigma upon parenthood than their heterosexual counterparts. The anticipation of stigma upon parenthood fully mediated the association between being a sexual minority and lower parenting desires and intentions and partially mediated the association between being a sexual minority and lower estimated likelihood of parenthood.

Conclusions and Policy Implications

The findings are interpreted in light of LGB possible awareness of prejudice and discrimination by local legislation that prohibits or impedes sexual minorities from pursuing parenthood. Policymakers and health professionals should be alerted to the impact of anticipation of stigma when accounting for the disparities in parenting aspirations between LGB individuals and heterosexual counterparts and its possible connections to discriminatory Israeli social policies toward LGB rights.

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Title: Anticipation of Stigma upon Parenthood Impacts Parenting Aspirations in the LGB Community in Israel
Author: Geva Shenkman
Publication date: 22-08-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Sexuality Research and Social Policy / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 1868-9884
Electronic ISSN: 1553-6610
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00498-y

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions and Policy Implications

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