Pree-school teachers' views on same-sex parenting

Homosexuality has been a taboo subject for many years, as it has not been talked about or avoided speaking on the subject, both in educational and wider areas. This theme is full of fear, prejudice and stereotypes. Homosexuals are therefore often targeted with discrimination and stigmatised in both the public and private spheres. In this day and age, various family forms are being discussed more and more, including same-sex partnerships and families. Public speech is dominated by the question of whether same-sex couples can be suitable parents. However, it is society that has a significant impact on children from same-sex families. Kindergarten and school are important institutions where we should talk about it, because such families already exist. Parents can also help to understand this topic to develop tolerance for others in their children. In my research, preschool educators find that there is too little talk about sam-sex families in kindergarten, as it remains a taboo subject. Most of the questions and dilemmas revolve around what consequences children in same-sex families would have. One of the main concerns is whether the children of gay couples will also become same-sex, have difficulties in developing gender identity, or also discriminate on the basis of their parents' sexual orientation. All these concerns stem from the view that same-sex families are unnatural and that gays and lesbians pose a threat to children (Urek, 2005). Exclusion from society and the fear of having children for same-sex couples is also visible in the legal and legislative sphere, as they have far fewer rights than heterosexual couples. One of the important rights that same-sex couples demand is the adoption of a child, which is still not possible for same-sex couples in our country