Teaching HBTQI Topics in Primary Education: A Qualitative Study of Swedish Teachers’, Health Staff’s, and Pupils’ Perspectives
Facts
- Contact person:
- Jack Lukkerz
- Financer:
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- Riksförbundet för sexuell upplysning RFSU
- Responsible at MaU:
- Jack Lukkerz
- Project members at MaU:
- Collaborators :
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- Hans Olsson - RFSU
- Time frame:
- 26 February 2024 - 31 July 2025
- Faculty/department:
- Research environment :
- Research subject:
Project description
The purpose of this study was to investigate how schools in grades 1–6 address LGBTQI issues within the framework of overall teaching, that is, not only within sexuality education. The project was commissioned by Swedish Association for Sexuality Education and conducted as an interview study, consisting of individual and group interviews with six teachers, nine student health professionals, five principals, and six students in grades 1–6. The results show that there is a lack of specific work related to LGBTQI issues, with only a few individual staff members working systematically with the topic. However, the topic is more evidently addressed during health conversations, theme days, and in certain targeted educational efforts related to the subject. The focus tends to be on values education in general, rather than specifically on LGBTQI issues. At the same time, staff report challenges in finding effective approaches to students who break norms, particularly regarding gender identity.
Encouragingly, students appear to be more open to LGBTQI issues than adults, where adults sometimes create or anticipate problems that do not necessarily exist. Students’ attitudes are generally positive toward LGBTQI issues, although they also report negative reactions—from both girls and boys—toward peers who deviate from norms. Principals emphasize both values education and work with LGBTQI issues, addressing students’ varying needs as well as societal influences. Student health services are actively engaged and carry out effective work on the topic. The study highlights the school's ongoing need for support and knowledge in this area, as well as the need for more structured efforts to create a safe environment for young LGBTQI individuals.