Parenthood Aspirations Among LGB Individuals in Poland and Israel: The Roles of Minority Stressors and Pronatalism
摘要
The aim of this study was to compare Israeli and Polish lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in terms of enacted stigma, anticipated stigma upon parenthood, and pronatalism, and to assess whether these variables predict their parenthood aspirations (parenthood desires, intentions, and estimated likelihood of parenthood).
MethodsIn Poland, a total of 244 cisgender LGB individuals (aged 18–49; M = 27.36, SD = 6.25) were recruited between October and November 2024. In Israel, 317 cisgender LGB individuals (aged 18–49; M = 28.74, SD = 5.54) were recruited between November 2022 and July 2023. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing their parenthood aspirations, enacted stigma, anticipated stigma upon parenthood, and pronatalism.
ResultsLGB individuals in Israel reported higher levels of parenthood aspirations, as well as higher level of pronatalism, but lower levels of enacted stigma and anticipated stigma upon parenthood compared to their Polish counterparts. Lower level of anticipated stigma upon parenthood and stronger pronatalist attitudes were significantly associated with higher levels of parenthood aspirations in both samples, but enacted stigma was not significantly related to parenthood aspirations in either country.
ConclusionsThe findings are interpreted in light of (a) socio-cultural contexts in Poland and Israel and (b) the potential influence of minority stressors and national policies regarding minority rights.
Policy ImplicationsThe results of the study demonstrate to policymakers that restrictive policies concerning rights to parenthood for same-sex couples may impact LGB individuals’ experiences of minority stress and their ability to realize parenthood aspirations.