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Same-sex marriage and context-specific kinship terms
Patricia Ould1, C Julie Whitlow
1Department of Sociology, Salem State University, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. pould@salemstate.edu
Journal of Homosexuality
|September 10, 2011
Summary
Married gay and lesbian couples in Massachusetts consciously choose kinship terms for partners, influenced by context and personal factors. Legal marriage often prompts a shift towards traditional terms, indicating evolving attitudes.
Area of Science:
- Sociolinguistics
- Family Studies
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Marriage equality in Massachusetts has enabled same-sex couples to legally marry.
- Research is needed on how these couples refer to their partners in various social contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of kinship terms by married gay and lesbian individuals in Massachusetts.
- To identify factors influencing the choice of terms and any shifts post-legal marriage.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative and quantitative data collection through surveys and interviews.
- Analysis of term usage across different social situations and demographic groups.
Main Results:
- Married gay and lesbian individuals use marriage-related terms discriminately and context-specifically.
- Choices are influenced by personal demographics, social affiliations, intimacy, identity, and safety concerns.
- A notable shift in term usage was observed following legal marriage.
Conclusions:
- Kinship term selection is a conscious and strategic linguistic choice for same-sex married couples.
- Legal marriage can influence linguistic practices and potentially signal evolving social attitudes.
- Further research should explore the long-term implications of these linguistic shifts.
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