New analysis of the British Social Attitudes survey, published by NatCen Social Research during gay adoption week, has found that men take a more conservative stance on gay adoption and parenting.
It found that 47% of men do not think that a same sex male couple can bring children up as well as male-female couples, while just 30% of women do.
When it comes to lesbian partners raising children, views are softer, but a gender gap remains; 42% of men doubt same sex female couples’ ability to raise children, in comparison to 27% of women. Men are also more likely to differentiate between gay male and lesbian couples.
Overall, 35% of all Brits say that lesbian couples cannot bring up children as well as male-female couples, in comparison to 39% of those who doubt gay male couples’ ability.
The analysis also shows strong generational trends, with older people far more likely to be concerned about same sex couples bringing up children:
- 20% of 17-34 year olds think that same sex male couples can’t bring up children as well as opposite sex couples, in comparison to 57% of the over-55s;
- 17% of 17-34 year olds think that lesbian couples can’t bring up children as well as couples of the opposite sex, in comparison to 50% of the over-55s.
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