Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics

The growing number of lesbian and gay (LG) parent families in Israel, along with the increasing involvement of nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics (MCHCs) in supporting them, served as the impetus for this study. The study aimed to examine (1) MCHC nurses’ knowledge of homosexuality and attitudes...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eitan Gur, Oren Wacht, Dorit Segal-Engelchin, Orli Grinstein-Cohen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Societies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/7/189
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849252029134798848
author Eitan Gur
Oren Wacht
Dorit Segal-Engelchin
Orli Grinstein-Cohen
author_facet Eitan Gur
Oren Wacht
Dorit Segal-Engelchin
Orli Grinstein-Cohen
author_sort Eitan Gur
collection DOAJ
description The growing number of lesbian and gay (LG) parent families in Israel, along with the increasing involvement of nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics (MCHCs) in supporting them, served as the impetus for this study. The study aimed to examine (1) MCHC nurses’ knowledge of homosexuality and attitudes toward LG parenting; (2) the association between their knowledge and attitudes; and (3) their association with socio-demographic, professional, and LG-related characteristics. Findings from 65 MCHC nurses revealed moderate levels of knowledge about homosexuality, low levels of negative attitudes, and moderate levels of positive attitudes toward LG parenting. Nurses who were Jewish, secular, or living in a city had greater knowledge about homosexuality and fewer negative beliefs about LG parenting. Acquaintance with LG individuals was associated with fewer negative beliefs about LG parenting. Greater knowledge about homosexuality correlated with fewer negative beliefs and more positive perceptions of LG parenting, suggesting that enhanced knowledge fosters more positive attitudes toward LG parenting. The findings emphasize the need for tailored, knowledge-based training in nursing education for MCHC settings, considering nurses’ diverse cultural backgrounds, level of religiosity, and familiarity with LG individuals. Incorporating content on homosexuality and LG parenting may promote more inclusive and supportive care practices.
format Article
id doaj-art-cca3df1aae814fd397ef27144d8d2d57
institution Kabale University
issn 2075-4698
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Societies
spelling doaj-art-cca3df1aae814fd397ef27144d8d2d572025-08-20T03:56:45ZengMDPI AGSocieties2075-46982025-07-0115718910.3390/soc15070189Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health ClinicsEitan Gur0Oren Wacht1Dorit Segal-Engelchin2Orli Grinstein-Cohen3Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, IsraelDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, IsraelDepartment of Social Work, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, IsraelDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, IsraelThe growing number of lesbian and gay (LG) parent families in Israel, along with the increasing involvement of nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics (MCHCs) in supporting them, served as the impetus for this study. The study aimed to examine (1) MCHC nurses’ knowledge of homosexuality and attitudes toward LG parenting; (2) the association between their knowledge and attitudes; and (3) their association with socio-demographic, professional, and LG-related characteristics. Findings from 65 MCHC nurses revealed moderate levels of knowledge about homosexuality, low levels of negative attitudes, and moderate levels of positive attitudes toward LG parenting. Nurses who were Jewish, secular, or living in a city had greater knowledge about homosexuality and fewer negative beliefs about LG parenting. Acquaintance with LG individuals was associated with fewer negative beliefs about LG parenting. Greater knowledge about homosexuality correlated with fewer negative beliefs and more positive perceptions of LG parenting, suggesting that enhanced knowledge fosters more positive attitudes toward LG parenting. The findings emphasize the need for tailored, knowledge-based training in nursing education for MCHC settings, considering nurses’ diverse cultural backgrounds, level of religiosity, and familiarity with LG individuals. Incorporating content on homosexuality and LG parenting may promote more inclusive and supportive care practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/7/189nursesMother-Child Health Clinicsgay and lesbian parentingattitudesknowledge
spellingShingle Eitan Gur
Oren Wacht
Dorit Segal-Engelchin
Orli Grinstein-Cohen
Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics
Societies
nurses
Mother-Child Health Clinics
gay and lesbian parenting
attitudes
knowledge
title Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics
title_full Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics
title_fullStr Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics
title_short Knowledge of Homosexuality and Attitudes Toward Lesbian and Gay Parenting Among Israeli Nurses in Mother-Child Health Clinics
title_sort knowledge of homosexuality and attitudes toward lesbian and gay parenting among israeli nurses in mother child health clinics
topic nurses
Mother-Child Health Clinics
gay and lesbian parenting
attitudes
knowledge
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/7/189
work_keys_str_mv AT eitangur knowledgeofhomosexualityandattitudestowardlesbianandgayparentingamongisraelinursesinmotherchildhealthclinics
AT orenwacht knowledgeofhomosexualityandattitudestowardlesbianandgayparentingamongisraelinursesinmotherchildhealthclinics
AT doritsegalengelchin knowledgeofhomosexualityandattitudestowardlesbianandgayparentingamongisraelinursesinmotherchildhealthclinics
AT orligrinsteincohen knowledgeofhomosexualityandattitudestowardlesbianandgayparentingamongisraelinursesinmotherchildhealthclinics