Decision-Making Process and Family Life among Gay Couples from the Viewpoint of Democracy

Abstract

    The purposes of this study are to: (1) analyze the decision-making process among gay couples and (2) examine the nature of democracy between gay partners. Data are drawn from qualitative interviews. The results found that the democratic decision-making process of negotiations and mutual agreements between partners relates to a lack of models of gay family life and this result is in accord with the findings of previous studies. However, the analysis found that disagreements, disparities of power, and heteronormativity hinder democratic decision-making. The necessity of establishing decision-making models to counter difficulties in effective democratic decision-making between partners is discussed.