SOGI and Family Research through Quantitative Surveys

Abstract

    Based on research previously conducted by the authors, this paper explores the possibility of studying sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and family through quantitative surveys, which are still rarely pursued in Japan. The following three studies were presented: a study that examined issues in the measurement of SOGI in population-based surveys in Japan; a study that examined issues in capturing the presence or absence of same-sex partners; and a study that examined household/family composition and gender/family-related attitudes by SOGI and couple type (female-female, male-male, and male-female) of respondents. These studies used the “Osaka City Residents' Survey,” one of the few population-based surveys in Japan that asked respondents' SOGI, as well as its preparatory study. Examination of these studies showed the social and academic significance of promoting family research that uses SOGI as axes of analysis to overcome the challenges presented by existing research.