Early Childhood Administrators' Attitudes and Experiences in Working with Gay and Lesbian Families

Abstract

This study examined the attitudes, preparation, and comfort experienced by early childhood administrators serving gay and lesbian (GL) families and the actual inclusive practices that were implemented within the center that were welcoming to GL families. Two specific tools, Attitudes towards Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) and School Professionals' Attitudes towards Homosexuality (SPATH), were administered to gather data from 203 participants in the state of North Carolina using an online survey method. 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 families and use of inclusive practices within their center, however, it did not correlate with preparation or their training in the field. Participants who identified themselves as very religious had lower scores on attitudes, preparation, comfort and use of inclusive strategies within the center, compared to administrators who were somewhat religious or not religious. Administrator's comfort, preparation and practice correlated highly with each other indicating that each variable influences the other in a positive direction. Finally, most of the inclusive strategies practiced within the center were perfunctory, which required minimal changes within the center compared to overt strategies that led to more visible changes. This study adds to the limited body of literature on this important topic of invisibility of GL families within the early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings. Several implications for the field of ECCE and future directions have been discussed in detail at the conclusion of this study.