Dissertation

Heteronormativity and gender norms: socialization across countries, at school, and within the family

To what extent are individuals socialised with heteronormativity and gender norms by the national context in which they live, by Dutch schoolbooks, and within Dutch families?

Author: T.M. van de Rozenberg
Date: 19 December 2023
Links: Full text in Scholarly Publications Leiden University

People belonging to sexual minorities and people who do not conform to gender stereotypical roles still have a disadvantaged position in society. To promote inclusivity, it is important to understand how individuals are socialized into heteronormativity: everyday ways in which heterosexuality and traditional gender roles are positioned as normal and natural. In this dissertation, I examine the extent to which individuals (adolescents in particular) are socialized with heteronormativity by the national context in which they live, by Dutch schoolbooks and within Dutch families.Individuals appear to be socialized with heteronormativity in different ways: at the national level, progressive laws appear to be important, in school textbooks gender stereotypical patterns, underrepresentation of women and exclusion of sexual minorities, and within families the transmission of gender stereotypical and homophobic attitudes from parents to children.

It appears that there is still a long way to go to achieve inclusion based on gender and sexual orientation. It seems important to continue to investigate both conscious and unconscious heteronormative messages and to address them in policy. More representation of counter-stereotypical role models and the normalization of public expressions and relationships of lesbian women and gay men seem necessary.