Subtle forms of prejudice in Greek day-care centres. Early childhood educators’ attitudes towards same-sex marriage and children’s adjustment in same-sex families

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored Greek early childhood educators’ attitudes towards same-sex marriage and same-sex parenting. It was hypothesized that participants with more negative attitudes towards same-sex parenting will have more negative attitudes towards same-sex marriage as well. The associations between these attitudes and demographic, psychological and personality variables were also examined. Two standardized scales, attitudes towards same-sex marriage scale (ATSSM) and children’s adjustment in same-sex families (SBCASSF) were used to assess the educators’ beliefs. Two hundred (200) early childhood educators participated in the study (M age = 46.78, SD = 8.87). Results indicated that early childhood educators with more negative attitudes towards same-sex marriage were older, more experienced, highly religious, without any contact with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) individuals and had negative attitudes towards same-sex parenting. Multiple regression analysis showed that normative opposition (NO – subscale of SBCASSF) and contact with LGBTQ+ individuals were significant predictors of educators’ attitudes towards same-sex marriage. The results of this study could have an impact on reducing prejudice towards same-sex parented families in the education systems and contribute to their social inclusivity.