Preschool Sensitivity to Diverse Family Structures Critical to School Selection Process for LGBT and Adoptive Parents

Author: The Williams Institute
Published: 15th Nov 2014
Peer-Reviewed Publication: N/A
Additional References: Same Sex Couples Publications

Summary: LGB parents of preschoolers may be particularly sensitive to family, racial and sexual diversity issues as they evaluate and select preschools for their children.

Main Document

LGB parents of preschoolers may be particularly sensitive to family, racial and sexual diversity issues as they evaluate and select preschools for their children, according to a new study co-authored by Williams Institute Visiting Scholar, Abbie E. Goldberg; and JuliAnna Z. Smith of the Center for Research and Families at UMASS, Amherst. Additionally, heterosexual adoptive parent families may be especially sensitive to adoption-related stigma and exclusion.

"This study will help foster awareness about the growing diversity of family structures, and the significance of that diversity in the preschool context, "said lead author Goldberg.

The study concludes that early childhood educators should recognize the growing diversity of contemporary families in the U.S., and consider adoption, family structure, and race as important components of curriculum development. These important considerations foster more welcoming classroom environments for children and parents.

Preschool-age children are beginning to develop an understanding of basic concepts such as race, ethnicity, gender, and families, yet their educators are often uncertain about how to enact more inclusive and affirming approaches to LGBT families. Educators and administrators may require additional professional training to increase their knowledge and awareness of LGBT and adoptive-parent families for the benefit of their overall approach to teaching.

Key findings regarding parents' school selection experiences include:

• Parents with less income were more likely to consider cost in choosing a preschool.
• Parents with less education were more likely to consider school location.
• More educated parents tended to emphasize the racial diversity of the school community, and the presence of adoptive families at the school.
• LGBT parents tended to emphasize the presence of other lesbian/gay parents at the school.
• LGBT parents were more likely to consider the racial diversity of the school community than heterosexual parents.
• In reporting on their experiences with schools, heterosexual parents were more likely to perceive mistreatment due to their adoptive status than sexual-minority parents.
• LGBT parents living in less gay-friendly communities were more likely to perceive mistreatment due to their sexual orientation than LGB parents living in more gay-friendly communities.

The sample consisted of 210 parents in 105 couples, including 35 lesbian couples, 30 gay male couples, and 40 heterosexual couples, all of whom had adopted a child three years earlier.

• Data was taken from a longitudinal study of the transition to adoptive parenthood.
• All 105 couples had adopted their first child three years earlier, and in all cases it was a single child.
• Respondents' data were included in the current study if their adopted child was in preschool.