Diverse Unconventional Families: GLBT Readings at Primary School

Abstract

As societies move further toward equal rights for GLBT people, new models of more plural and diverse families are emerging. According to “queer pedagogy”, schools must show and address different forms of family relationships if they wish to reflect the society we live in and contribute to a world that is more respectful of differences. In this study, texts portraying this family diversity were introduced into language and literature classes. Then, students’ attitudes toward families formed by two fathers, two mothers or one GLBT parent were evaluated. The survey sample consisted of a total of 77 students, of which 31 students belonged to the experimental group and 46 were allocated in the control group. The results indicate that participants who read texts portraying diverse families were more likely to accept affective, sexual and gender diversity in their families.