Parental Disapproval and Gay and Lesbian Relationship Quality

Abstract

Parental disapproval of a different-sex romantic relationship is associated with reduced relationship quality and stability. However, little is known about how disapproval from parents matters for gay and lesbian relationship quality and stability. This article examines how 60 adults in gay and lesbian relationships understand and negotiate parental disapproval. Findings reveal three main ways parental disapproval is perceived to matter for the quality of gay and lesbian relationships. First, respondents describe experiencing increased relationship strain. Second, disapproval from parents is understood as promoting relationship resilience. Third, respondents separate themselves from parents to protect and bolster their relationship quality. In conversation with previous work on different-sex relationships, findings suggest that gay and lesbian adults perceive and negotiate strain from parents in ways that are both similar to, but also unique from, different-sex contexts. The implications for theory and research on intimate relationship quality in the context of family of origin relationships are discussed.