Early childhood administrators’ attitudes and experiences in working with gay- and lesbian-parented families

ABSTRACT

This study examined the attitudes, preparation, and comfort of early childhood administrators in working with gay and lesbian (GL) parented families and the use of GL inclusive practices within centers. Data were gathered from 203 participants in the state of North Carolina using an online survey. Overall, administrators held a positive attitude towards GLs. Specifically, administrators with higher levels of education held a more positive attitude towards lesbians than gay men. Attitudes also correlated highly with administrator’s comfort in working with GL parented families and use of inclusive practices within their center; however, it did not correlate with preparation or training in the field. Participants who identified themselves as very religious had lower scores on all measures used within the study, compared to administrators who were somewhat religious or not religious. Finally, most of the inclusive strategies implemented within centers were perfunctory, which required minimal change and effort by administrators.

KEYWORDS:

• Diversity in early childhood education
• early childhood administrators
• LG issues in early childhood
• diversity in teacher education

Notes on contributors

Julie Church just completed her M.S. in Human Development and Family Science. She is presently working as an elementary school teacher. She has a strong passion for LGBT issues.

Archana V. Hegde is an associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at East Carolina University. She has specifically published on issues related to diversity in early childhood care and education, teacher beliefs and practices on developmentally appropriate practices/inclusion and quality child care. She has immense interest in international issues related to early childhood care and education and serves as a reviewer for many international journals and other important international platforms.

Paige Averett received her PhD in Human Development from Virginia Tech. She is an associate professor of Social Work whose research focuses on LGBT issues, such as LGBT family formation, identity, and ageing. Additionally, she has worked in a variety of early childcare and educational settings.

Sharon M. Ballard is an associate professor and chair for the Department of Human Development and Family Science at East Carolina University. Her research focus is family life education for mid-life and older adults, HIV/AIDS and working with mid-life and older adults, sexuality education and parent-child communication.