Browsing by Subject "Sateenkaariperheet"

The aim of my thesis was to find out how the LGBT families living in the Helsinki metropolitan area had experienced the day care of their children in 2008-2015. In my preliminary view, professional educators usually have positive attitudes towards LGBT families, although negative experiences are also found. Earlier research on LGBT families has shown that various practices in educational institutions have not been sufficiently considered from the point of view of the diverse needs of families. Because of heterosexist structures, sexual minorities have become “outsiders” in educational institutions and have that way been left out from the diverse idea of humanity. The glorification of heterosexuality has led to bullying of sexual minorities in schools. The same limited mindset has also been seen in day care where children are taught through stories and fairy tales that they will be expected to start a heterosexual nuclear family in future. The study material was collected from August to September 2016 through theme interviews. Three LGBT families participated in the study. All the families that participated in the study were originally families of lesbian couples. One of the thematic interviews was conducted as a parental interview in which both parents participated. Two other interviews were conducted as individual interviews. The material was analysed by content analysis. The results of the study confirmed my own preconception: attitudes towards LBGT families vary a great deal in the day care centres of the Helsinki metropolitan area. There are considerable differences in the quality of diversity education even within the same day care centre. How well LGBT families can be catered for in day care centres depends on how familiar the staff is with the family's special needs or dare discuss difficult issues. If the staff is not familiar with various types of the families, they cannot cater for their special needs in teaching. Based on the results, LGTB families are usually considered at the time of the father’s and mother's days, when the practices associated with the day are discussed together with the families.