Abstract

Transforming Work with Children in Same Sex Parented Families

Author(s)

Jenny Kaighin -Queensland University of Technology

This ePoster presentation will highlight the impacts of State and Federal same sex law reform on practice with children in same sex parented families. It will focus particularly on the notion of 'assumed heterosexuality i.e. automatically assuming that all clients are heterosexual unless they state otherwise.

Since 2002 State and Territory Laws have increasingly recognised same sex parented families. In November 2008 Federal legislation was introduced recognising same sex families rights and responsibilities.

While law reform will not end all heterosexism it can increase visibility. It can clearly position same sex families as valid in the eyes of the law and therefore make explicit the need to include; and it can go some way to mitigating the sense of being an outsider.

Legal recognition will challenge institutions such as schools, health and community services, early childhood services and the law to respond to same sex families as a family unit with all members having rights and responsibilities. Services seek to work in ways that are equitable and inclusive however research indicates that 'assumed heterosexuality' in the provision of child and family support services can present a  barrier to same sex families seeking support.

The purpose of this ePoster presentation is to
  �  Highlight changes to Federal and State legislation impacting on same sex couples 
      with children; 
  �  Understand the concept and impact of 'assumed heterosexuality' in work with 
      children from same sex parented families;
  �  Examine strategies to avoid 'assumed heterosexuality' in practice with children, 
      young people and their families.