AMONG SAME-SEX COUPLES IN BRAZIL

Introduction This paper analyzes the rates of and between same-sex couples by educational level, age and race in order to further the studies of assortative mating in Brazil. Thus, this study allows us to test some hypothesis that surrounds same-sex couples towards the explanation of the assortative mating in these groups. Initially, a small review of the literature on assortative mating of same-sex couples was necessary as a base for comparison. Secondly, we bring the demographic characteristics of these couples as to situate where this group fits in relation to the population in general. Afterwards, we analyze the endogamy and exogamy rates by educational attainment, race separating the couples by gender and age difference. The objective of this analysis is, firstly, to identify the levels of homogamy between the groups. The second is to compare if the couples are different in terms of the way they choose their partners according to the composition of the couple by gender. Therefore, the contribution of this paper dialogues with conjugal composition, assortative mating and touches the discussion surrounding social stratification.

Theoretical focus The work of Verbakel e Kalmijn (2014) propose to test four hypotheses used to justify the levels of homogamy found in many studies of assortative mating. The first hypothesis regards the matrimonial market. Thus, the opportunities of finding a partner are related to the size of this market and the socio-demographic composition of this market (BECKER, 1981; ROSENFELD & KIM, 2005). Hence, since the matrimonial market for same-sex partners is small this lowers the chances of homogamy between the partners (VERBAKEL E KALMIJN, 2014). The second hypothesis is related to the unconventional nature of the exogamic relationships (BLAU & SCHWARTZ, 1984; RIBEIRO & SILVA, 2009). Accordingly, if same-sex relationships are unconventional it makes it easier to be unconventional considering other characteristics other than gender. The third hypothesis involves the level of commitment between the couples. Some studies show that couples with different marital status have also different levels of homogamy rates. Thus, the hypothesis is that cohabitating couples are less homogamous than married couples. Unfortunately, there is no way to test this hypothesis in Brazil given that in 2010 same-sex wasn’t allowed yet. The last hypothesis affirms a recent tendency of individuals and their search for more egalitarian relationships. Consequently, this would explain more homogamous relationships since similar characteristics like education level and age would constitute less hierarchic relation between partners. In this paper, we will test three of the four hypotheses discussed and try to apprehend which of them fit to the reality of same-sex couples in Brazil.

Data The data used in this paper correspond to a 10% sample of the 2010 Brazilian census that represents the universe of the population. The expanded sample is composed of 67,167 households of same-sex couples. Of these households 46,12% are composed by female couples and 53,88% are of male couples. The same-sex partners represent 0,18% of all couples counted in the 2010 census.

Initial findings

Table 1 shows information on homogamy and exogamy rates of the same-sex couples by different demographic characteristics. The results indicate that men are more homogamous than women by educational level (58,21%) and race (58,72%).

Table 1 – Homogamy rates* by educational level and race, according to age difference between partners, men and women from 15 to 65 years of age or more – Brazil, 2010 Men Women Age difference between partners Education Race Education Race Difference of 0 to 2 years 65.37 59.00 57.95 60.12 Difference of 3 to 5 years 63.27 60.52 56.16 50.95 Difference of 6 to 9 years 54.51 56.35 48.69 55.34 Difference of 10 years or more 52.25 59.01 46.96 56.78 Total 58.21 58.82 52.66 56.05 Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), Census – 2010. Note:(*) The homogamy rates where standardized by the IPF (Interactive Proportional Fitting) method. For more information about this method see Agresti (1990). Among the hypotheses that try to explain the lower homogamy between these couples the ones that are coherent are the ones in respect to the location of the matrimonial markets of these individuals which tend to be urban areas. In addition to that, the hypothesis of theses relationships being unconventional and therefore being more open to other kinds of social transgressions do not sustain specially when looking at couples composed by men. In this sense, the results found in Brazil are different form those found in other studies in the U.S, Sweden and Norway (VERBAKEL E KALMIJN, 2014; ANDERSSON et.al., 2006; SCHWARTZ E GRAF, 2009). In theses countries, male couples are less homogamous than female couples. In Brazil, when can say that the opposite is true, where women are less homogamous in relation to education and race.

References

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ANDERSSON, G. et al. The demographics of same-sex in Norway and Sweden. Demography, v. 43, n. 1, p. 79–98, 2006.

BECKER, G. S. Assortative mating in marriage market. In: A treatise on the family. 2. ed. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1981. cap. 4, p.108-134.

BLAU, P. M., SCHWARTZ, J. Crosscutting Social Circles. London, Academic Press.1984.

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ROSENFELD, M. J., KIM, B. The independence of young adults and the rise of interracial and same-sex unions. American Sociological Review, 70, 541–562, 2005.

SCHWARTZ, C. R.; GRAF, N. L. Assortative matching among same-sex and different-sex couples in the United States, 1990-2000. Demographic Research, v. 21, p. 843–878, 2009.

VERBAKEL, E.; KALMIJN, M. Assortative Mating Among Dutch Married and Cohabiting Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, v. 76, n. February, p. 1–12, 2014.