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Do same-sex unions dissolve more often than different-sex unions? Methodological insights from Colombian data on sexual behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Fernando Ruiz Vallejo

    (Pontificia Universidad Javeriana)

  • Diederik Boertien

    (Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics (CED))

Abstract

Background: Conclusions about differences in union dissolution rates between same-sex couples and different-sex couples vary across studies and countries. Previous research identifies same-sex couples solely using information on the sex of partners. Objective: To investigate how the measures used to identify same-sex couples affect conclusions regarding differences in dissolution rates between different-sex and same-sex unions in the stigmatized context of Colombia. Methods: We use rich retrospective data from the Colombian DHS 2015 on the duration of 63,462 unions, including 1,051 same-sex unions. An important feature of this survey is that respondents are also asked about their sexual behavior. Results: Similar to previous studies on the United States, estimates solely based on the reported sex of partners show that cohabiting same-sex couples are as likely to separate as cohabiting different-sex couples in Colombia. However, excluding same-sex unions of persons who reported never having had sex with someone of the same sex, same-sex unions are considerably more likely to end in separation than different-sex unions. Conclusions: The same-sex unions of persons who report having had sex with someone of the same sex are more likely to end in separation than different-sex unions in Colombia. Contribution: We show how substantive conclusions about the relative stability of same-sex unions depend on how same-sex unions are identified. To reduce the influence of possible miscoding on conclusions we recommend combining various measures to identify same-sex unions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando Ruiz Vallejo & Diederik Boertien, 2021. "Do same-sex unions dissolve more often than different-sex unions? Methodological insights from Colombian data on sexual behavior," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(48), pages 1149-1164.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:44:y:2021:i:48
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2021.44.48
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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