The Wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Individuals in Israel: A Life Course and Sociocultural Perspective

This chapter investigates the wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals in Israel, considering the influence of the country’s sociocultural background on this issue. Embracing the theoretical framework of Life Course Theory, which emphasizes lifespan development, the chapter presents research findings on the wellbeing of Israeli LGBTQ+ individuals across distinct life-stages: younger and childfree individuals, parents, and older Israelis. By examining the interplay between Israel’s societal characteristics of patriarchal norms, masculinity, pronatalism, and familism, which significantly shape the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals, this chapter offers valuable insights into their wellbeing experiences throughout the life span within a non-Euro-American context. The findings reviewed in this chapter contribute to the broader field of wellbeing research and provide exciting perspectives on the hedonic (life satisfaction and positive emotions) and eudaimonic (life meaning) aspects of happiness among the LGBTQ+ community in Israel.