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.