Ranking of stigmatization toward lesbians and their children and the influence of perceptions of controllability of homosexuality

Recent custody rulings in this country have indicated that lesbian mothers are viewed more negatively than other parents with stigmatizing attributes, e.g., a history of mental illness or criminality. The current study compared willingness to engage in relationships with a variety of adults with potentially stigmatizing conditions (including lesbians) as well as the children of these stigmatized individuals among a sample of college students. The hypothesis that perceived controllability of homosexuality would be related to stigmatization of lesbians and their children was also tested. Findings included the following: (1) Participants reported a greater willingness to engage in relationships with children of stigmatized parents than with individuals who personally possess a stigmatizing attribute; (2) Participants reported a greater willingness to engage in relationships with adults with physically based stigmas and their children than with adults with mental/behavioral stigmas and their children, and (3) Participants who reported a belief that homosexuality is a controllable condition were less willing to engage in relationships with lesbians than respondents who reported a belief that homosexuality is uncontrollable. Discussion includes not only an evaluation of the results and limitations of the study, but also comments concerning judicial and societal stigmatization of lesbians and their children.