# How to identify same sex couples

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-identify-same-sex-couples/2554>\
**Category:** USA\
**Created:** [September 13, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-identify-same-sex-couples/2554 "2018-09-13T17:40:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Michelle\_Pratt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/michelle_pratt/32/194_2.png) [@Michelle\_Pratt](https://forum.ipums.org/u/Michelle_Pratt)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 8:14pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/how-to-identify-same-sex-couples/2554/3 "2018-09-14T20:14:00Z")

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I think the issue here lies in that you are attempting to match frequencies based on two variables that are not formulated using the same methodology/are not available for the same samples. See my notes [here](https://forum.ipums.org/t/are-that-many-married-homosexual-men-not-living-together-american-community-survey/2532/1) on the differences between the two.

Here is an example of Stata code, which relies on examining relationships to the head of the household only, that you could use to determine same-sex couples using SPLOC and RELATE (you will need to attach spouse characteristics for SEX – sex\_sp and RELATED – related\_sp when creating your extract):

keep if pernum == 1  
keep if sex == sex\_sp  
keep if related\_sp == 0201 | related == 1114

Because SPLOC and SSMC are created in different ways, considering just same-sex married couples, you will end up with two different values depending on your approach. Which approach you use is ultimately up to you and will likely depend on the scope of your analysis.

I hope this helps.

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