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Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Matters for the Subjective Well-being of Individuals in Same-Sex Unions

Author

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  • Diederik Boertien

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

  • Daniele Vignoli

    (University of Florence)

Abstract

We investigate whether the subjective well-being of individuals in same-sex unions improved following the legalization of same-sex marriage in England and Wales in March 2014. We employ repeated cross-sectional data from the 2011–2016 Annual Population Surveys on 476,411 persons, including 4,112 individuals in coresidential same-sex relationships. The analysis reveals increases in subjective well-being for individuals in same-sex relationships following legalization. Additional analysis documents higher subjective well-being for individuals in married same-sex couples compared with individuals who are in a civil partnership or an informal cohabiting same-sex union. However, the subjective well-being of individuals from same-sex couples increased after legalization among all subgroups considered, including those who cohabited informally. This result hints at a general reduction in structural stigma as an important mechanism behind the improved well-being of individuals in same-sex unions.

Suggested Citation

  • Diederik Boertien & Daniele Vignoli, 2019. "Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Matters for the Subjective Well-being of Individuals in Same-Sex Unions," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(6), pages 2109-2121, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:demogr:v:56:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1007_s13524-019-00822-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s13524-019-00822-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Gabriele Ruiu & Giovanna Gonano, 2020. "Religious Barriers to the Diffusion of Same-sex Civil Unions in Italy," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 39(6), pages 1185-1203, December.
    2. Jeffrey R. Bloem & Andrew J. Oswald, 2022. "The Analysis of Human Feelings: A Practical Suggestion for a Robustness Test," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 68(3), pages 689-710, September.
    3. Samuel Mann & Nigel O’Leary & David Blackaby, 2022. "Sexual orientation, political trust, and same-sex relationship recognition policies: evidence from Europe," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 192(3), pages 331-355, September.
    4. Christopher S. Carpenter, 2020. "The Direct Effects of Legal Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: Evidence From Massachusetts," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(5), pages 1787-1808, October.

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