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“I know what’s best for my child”: A qualitative analysis of US cisgender‐heterosexual and LGBTQ parents’ perspectives on inclusive education policies

Abstract

Diversity education in the K-12 years is a contentious issue in the contemporary US context. Given evidence that parental identity influences beliefs about and support for diversity education, we qualitatively explored cisgender-heterosexual and LGBTQ+ parents’ (N = 609) beliefs about the appropriateness of inclusive educational policies in K-12 classrooms. We collected qualitative data on parental perceptions of inclusive signals in classrooms (e.g., displaying a rainbow flag) and on perceptions of inclusive curriculum (whether children should learn about diversity at school/from teachers or at home/from parents). Parents’ responses reflected variability in support for inclusive signals. Cisgender-heterosexual parents were more likely to endorse that cues should not be allowed and were less likely to indicate holistic support of cues compared to LGBTQ+ parents. For inclusive curriculum, cisgender-heterosexual parents were more likely than LGBTQ+ parents to endorse that diversity information should be discussed only at home with parents. We contextualize parents’ responses within contemporary political rhetoric (e.g., discussions of Parents’ Bills of Rights) and highlight implications for educators and policymakers.

Public significance statement

Parental identity influences beliefs about diversity education in US K-12 schools, with LGBTQ+ parents generally being more supportive of inclusive classroom signals and curricula than cisgender-heterosexual parents. Our findings highlight how parents grapple with ideas about inclusive education and factors underlying (lack of) support for inclusive educational policies. We outline potential spaces for intervention to promote parental support for inclusive curriculum.

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Posted in: Journal Article Abstracts on 05/11/2025 | Link to this post on IFP |
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