Patterns of Bisexuality in America

Abstract

In this article the authors use data from the 2002 and 2006 to 2008 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) to analyze the most recent patterns of bisexuality in the United States. There has been little demographic work done on the issue of bisexuality, and this article strives to explore some aspects of this sexual orientation. Using a social constructionist definition of sexuality, the authors enumerate those who identify, desire, and behave as bisexual as well as compare some basic demographic characteristics of bisexuality with heterosexuality, homosexuality, and asexuality. Overall, the authors find that conclusions about the prevalence of bisexuality and the characteristics of bisexual individuals versus other sexualities do differ depending on the dimension employed. Most generally, however, the authors find that bisexual respondents are more likely to be in poorer health condition than heterosexual respondents (but in better health compared to gay and lesbian respondents), more likely to be engaged in full time employment, and less likely to have ever been married.

KEYWORDS:

• bisexuality rates
• behavior
• identity
• desire
• National Survey of Family Growth

Notes

²Although we recognize that bisexually identified people may not base their identity on a sense of equal attraction to the sexes, the decision to code in this way is aligned with prior demographic research in consideration with theoretical and practical purposes of what would be most valid for the study.

³As we demonstrate in the following paragraphs, odds ratios can also translated into percentages by employing the following formula: (odds ratio - 1) x 100 = percentage.

⁴‘Statistical citizenship’ refers to the process of demonstrating and evaluating a population quantitatively.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

D’Lane R. Compton

D’Lane R. Compton is an associate professor of sociology at the University of New Orleans. Her two major research interests are social psychology and the demography of sexual orientation. Her research uses both approaches to examine sexual, gender, and family inequalities.

D. Nicole Farris

D. Nicole Farris is an assistant professor of sociology at The University of West Alabama. Demographically trained, her interests focus on topics of gender, family, and sexuality. Dr. Farris has published on issues of rural demography and poverty as applied to the U.S. and China. Her current work is examining American extended adolescence and topics related to the intersections of gender and sexuality.

Yu-Ting Chang

Yu-Ting Chang received her PhD in sociology and demography from Texas A&M University. Her principal research interests are in the areas of mortality, gender, education, and statistical methods. Dr. Chang currently works for the Houston Independent School District as an applied statistician.