title: Differential risk theory as a subset of social exchange theory: implications for making gay marriage culturally normative and for understanding stigma against homosexuals.
abstract: Differential risk theory, a subset of social exchange and equity theories, is proposed as an explanation for stigma towards homosexuals and as a basis for normative preferences for heterosexual marriage. Numerous gender differences involved in long-term relationships require members of such close relationships to assume greater interpersonal and social risks and thus costs, compared to same-gender relationships. Without compensating rewards or reduced costs, heterosexual relationships would be unfairly disadvantaged. Resistance to making gay marriage normative and/or equivalent legally to heterosexual marriage may be traced, rather than to homophobia, to societal attempts to maintain equity between classes of relationships characterized by inherent differential risks.
authors.affiliation: School of Family Studies and Human Services, Justin Hall, Kansas State University, 1700 Anderson Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506-1403, USA. Schumm@Humec.ksu.edu
authors.forename: Walter R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Schumm
mesh_terms: D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D011287:Prejudice; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012925:Social Conformity