In early childhood the parents are the most important role model for a child. When children reach adolescence, others also become role models for them, for example peers. Based on the social...Show moreIn early childhood the parents are the most important role model for a child. When children reach adolescence, others also become role models for them, for example peers. Based on the social learning theory these persons are important for a child when they are developing their attitudes toward homosexuality and gender non-conforming behavior. This study focuses on the relationship between parental attitudes regarding homosexuality and gender non-conforming behavior compared to those attitudes and the explicit gender stereotypes in their adolescence. This is examined with a sample size of 109 families. Parents and adolescent’s attitudes regarding homosexuality were measured by a questionnaire about the acceptance of homosexuality, composed by the Netherlands institute of social research. The attitudes of parents and adolescents regarding gender non-conforming behavior were measured by a translation of the Genderism and transphobia scale revised. The explicit gender stereotypes of adolescents were measured by a combination of parts of the World Values Survey and the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study. Results showed a positive relation between mother’s attitudes regarding homosexuality and adolescent’s attitudes regarding homosexuality. Furthermore, a negative relation was found for the attitudes of mothers regarding homosexuality and the explicit gender stereotypes of adolescents. In conclusion, this meant that the more positive the attitudes of mothers were regarding homosexuality, the more positive the attitudes of adolescents were regarding homosexuality. In addition, this meant that the more positive mother’s attitudes were regarding homosexuality, the less explicit gender stereotypes adolescents had. Knowing this it is important that mothers can be made aware that, based on this research, the attitudes they have regarding homosexuality can influence the attitudes that adolescents have regarding homosexuality and their explicit gender stereotypes.Show less
