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Patterns of same-sex partner choice in Germany: age and educational homogamy
##manager.scheduler.building##: Velodromo - Bocconi University
##manager.scheduler.room##: N05
Date: 2019-01-24 04:30 PM – 06:00 PM
Last modified: 2018-12-26
Abstract
Whereas acceptance of same-sex partnerships has been increasing in Western societies,
research on same-sex partner choice is still scarce. Due to the small number of same-sex
couples, large datasets are needed to identify patterns. Our empirical study is based on the
German Microcensus from 1996 to 2013. This database allows us to trace trends of same-sex partnerships for a period of almost twenty years and to analyze their patterns of partner choice.
Our empirical analysis focuses on assortative mating behavior. We compare same-sex and
different-sex couples with respect to age and educational homogamy. Moreover, the large
dataset allows us to differentiate between female and male same-sex partnerships as well as to account for changes in assortative mating over time.
We assume that same-sex partnerships are less homogenous than different-sex partnerships.
One reason is that social norms about partner choice do not or only to a lesser extent apply to same-sex couples. More importantly, the pool of potential partners is much smaller for
homosexuals than for heterosexuals, so that existing preferences will be harder to realize.
However, over time, we expect an increase in age and educational homogamy of same-sex
couples – mainly as a consequence of increasing opportunities.
research on same-sex partner choice is still scarce. Due to the small number of same-sex
couples, large datasets are needed to identify patterns. Our empirical study is based on the
German Microcensus from 1996 to 2013. This database allows us to trace trends of same-sex partnerships for a period of almost twenty years and to analyze their patterns of partner choice.
Our empirical analysis focuses on assortative mating behavior. We compare same-sex and
different-sex couples with respect to age and educational homogamy. Moreover, the large
dataset allows us to differentiate between female and male same-sex partnerships as well as to account for changes in assortative mating over time.
We assume that same-sex partnerships are less homogenous than different-sex partnerships.
One reason is that social norms about partner choice do not or only to a lesser extent apply to same-sex couples. More importantly, the pool of potential partners is much smaller for
homosexuals than for heterosexuals, so that existing preferences will be harder to realize.
However, over time, we expect an increase in age and educational homogamy of same-sex
couples – mainly as a consequence of increasing opportunities.