This master's thesis explores the attitudes of students and lecturers, from all three Slovenian Faculties of Education, towards discussing the topic of rainbow families. Considering the fact that this is a current topic still associated with discomfort in Slovenia, this master’s thesis focuses on how the topic is discussed in the field of higher education, and how well acquainted future teachers and other educational workers are with it. The theoretical part discusses two fundamental areas: rainbow families and discussing the topic of rainbow families in schools by emphasizing the already made research on rainbow families.
The empirical part describes the findings of a quantitative research, involving a total of 184 students and lecturers from all three Faculties of Education in Slovenia. The results show that both students and lecturers are well aware of the importance of familiarizing students of all study programs with this topic. Students find the topic interesting and would like to obtain further information regarding it, because even though this topic has been addressed in one or more subjects, they believe they lack information and knowledge concerning rainbow families. Nearly 70% of lecturers involved in the study, believe that their course allows discussion of rainbow families, but almost half of them do not mention this topic in their lectures. The main obstacle is believed to be the fact that this topic is not included in the curriculum of the course they are teaching. Those lecturers who discuss this topic, most frequently incorporate it as part of their lectures where they discuss and debate various views with their students.
The research fills the gap in exploring the attitudes towards the topic of rainbow families in the field of higher education, and brings an applicable value both for students and lecturers, as it determines which skills and knowledge students lack, so that as future teachers and other educational workers they will be able to address the topic of rainbow families and overcome any obstacles that may appear. Moreover, the research draws attention to the importance of this topic, especially in the school environment.
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