Abstract Book of the 8th World Conference on Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2025
DOI:
[PDF]
Attitudes of Elementary School Students Towards Children from Same-Sex Families in Taiwan
Te-Sheng Chang, Ching-Yao Wang
ABSTRACT:
This study investigates the attitudes of elementary school students in Taiwan towards children from same-sex families following the enactment of the “Act for Implementation of J.Y. Interpretation No. 748” by the Judicial Yuan (a.k.a. Taiwan’s same-sex relationship/marriage act). A questionnaire survey was conducted with 311 students from grades 1 to 6 in an elementary school in Eastern Taiwan. The study’s independent variables are grade level (lower, middle, upper) and gender (male, female), while the dependent variables include students’ positive and negative attitudes, proximity, and liking towards children from different family types (heterosexual, gay, lesbian). Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and a 2 (gender) X 3 (grade) independent sample two-way ANOVA. Findings indicate that students exhibited higher negative attitudes towards children from same-sex families compared to those from heterosexual families, with male students and lower-grade students showing more negative attitudes. Positive attitudes were higher towards children from heterosexual families, with female students and upper-grade students showing more positive attitudes. Students were more willing to be close to children from heterosexual families, and female students showed a willingness to be close to daughters from all family types. There was no significant difference in liking levels between children from gay and lesbian families. The study concludes that elementary students’ attitudes are influenced by gender and grade level, highlighting the need for enhanced gender education to promote inclusivity and acceptance of diverse families.
keywords: acceptance, diversity, gender education, inclusivity, survey