Journal Article

Keys to the Future: How Gender and Sexuality Jointly Shape Parental Financial Support for Home Ownership

Alexander, Katherine, Kimbro, Rachel, Wang, Yiwen, Gorman, Bridget, Wolski, Caroline

2026

Overview

Homeownership is a key marker of economic stability, yet rising housing costs have made it increasingly difficult for young adults to purchase homes. Parental financial transfers can help offset these barriers, but such support is unevenly distributed across social groups. Although past research has documented gender disparities in intergenerational transfers, little is known about how these patterns extend to sexual minority individuals or how gender and sexuality jointly shape parental support. Using data from the 2020–2021 Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity, Socioeconomic Status, and Health Across the Life Course study, the authors examine the need for and receipt of parental financial support for home buying across gender and sexual identity groups. Logistic regression models adjust for family background, socioeconomic status, and partnership characteristics. The results show substantial variation in parental support for home purchase across intersecting categories of gender and sexual identity. Gay men and straight women are less likely to receive parental financial assistance for home buying, even after accounting for socioeconomic resources, financial need, and partnership-related factors. These findings suggest that parental support for home buying may reflect heteronormative and gendered expectations, reinforcing social inequalities through unequal intergenerational transfers. Limited access to parental support may constrain homeownership opportunities and contribute to cumulative disadvantage over the life course.

• Publisher: SAGE Publishing