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Abstract
No research has examined the factors influencing gay male couples’ decision-making processes in choosing a particular type of adoption. The current qualitative study of 32 prospective adoptive male same-sex couples illuminates that, similar to many heterosexual couples seeking to adopt, gay men identify a variety of factors (e.g., race, age, health of their adoptive child) as impacting what type of adoption is most appealing to them. However, this study demonstrates that they also hold unique concerns that are specifically related to their relational status as male same-sex couples. Given their sexual minority status, their decision making is often situated within the context of societal discrimination, which directly impacts the kinds of choices gay men have in choosing an adoption path.
Notes
1. Foster-to-adopt placements are adoptions whereby the prospective adoptive parent(s) first foster their child until all legal rights of the biological parents have been terminated.
2. A second-parent adoption is a legal procedure that allows same-sex couples to adopt their partner's child without having to terminate the rights of the first adoptive parent.