Increased diversity, increased (dis)approval? Measuring parental attitudes towards LGBTQ characters in Flemish children’s television

ABSTRACT

This study examines parental attitudes towards LGBTQ characters in Flemish children’s television shows. Through a survey, this research aims to investigate predictors for the attitudes and levels of resistance among parents, considering specific sociodemographic characteristics and parents’ perceptions about the impact of television and children’s sexual development. Data were collected from 614 Flemish parents with children aged four to twelve. The results reveal overall positive attitudes towards LGBTQ inclusion. However, attitudes are more negative towards gender diversity (trans and non-binary characters) compared to sexual diversity (non-heterosexual characters). Furthermore, attitudes towards sexual diversity differ among parents: fathers display more negative attitudes compared to mothers, and resistance is highest for parents with a lower educational attainment. Parents who believe in the prosocial impact of LGBTQ representation exhibited more positive attitudes, whereas those with conventional beliefs about children’s sexual development displayed more resistance. This study offers insightful findings for future research, television producers, and media literacy initiatives aimed at providing a more inclusive media landscape and promoting acceptance among children and parents alike.

Impact Summary

Prior State of Knowledge

Media representations of sexual and gender minorities are increasingly common in children’s programming. Nevertheless, global controversies persist, highlighting tensions between inclusive representations and concerns about preserving childhood innocence.

Novel Contributions

Our study reveals generally positive parental attitudes towards LGBTQ representation in Flemish children’s programs. However, significant variations exist between different sociodemographic groups (i.e. significant different attitudes between mothers and fathers), and resistant against gender diversity (trans and non-binary characters) persists.

Practical Implications

Understanding parental attitudes towards LGBTQ representation is primarily beneficial to generate awareness among parents but equally for media workers and policymakers. Promoting prosocial outcomes of LGBTQ representation can enhance acceptance and understanding among children and parents, despite lingering societal tensions.

KEYWORDS:

• LGBTQ
• children’s television
• sexual diversity
• gender diversity
• parental attitudes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thalia Van Wichelen

Thalia Van Wichelen is a teaching assistant and Ph.D. student at the department of Communication Studies, University of Antwerp. Her field of research includes sexual and gender diversity in media for children and youth. She works specifically on the representation, production, and reception of LGBTQ narratives in media productions for young audiences. She is a member of the Antwerp Media in Society Centre (AMSoC).

Kim Verhoeven

Kim Verhoeven is a teaching assistant and Ph.D. student at the department of Communication Studies, University of Antwerp. She is member of Media & ICT in Organisations and Society (MIOS) and Antwerp Media in Society Centre (AMSoC). She is currently involved in a Ph.D. research project that concerns the content (e.g., topics and formats), effects (e.g., cognitive and affective), and implications (e.g., practical and theoretical) of fact-checks.