Lesbianism in the UK

Although homosexuality among females has taken place in many cultures in history, a recent phenomenon is the development of family among same sex partners. Before the 1970s, the idea that same sex adults formed long-term committed relationships was unknown to many people. The majority of lesbians (between 60% and 80%) report being in a long-term relationship. Sociologists (such as Rodger Streitmatter) credit the high number of paired women to gender role socialization: the inclination for women to commit to relationships doubles in a lesbian union.

Unlike Hetrosexual relationships that tend to divide work based on sex roles, lesbian relationships divide chores evenly between both members. Studies (conducted by the Ipswich Hospital) have also reported that emotional bonds are closer in lesbian and gay relationships than heterosexual ones.