Le Village was built for parents who want to be present with their children. All types of families are welcome and respected in our space, but we can see why our model fits so well with families that fought so hard to become parents. These parents can be LGBTQIA+ families. It can be families who have experienced fertility challenges. It can also be families who may have experienced loss. But at the end of the day, the majority of Le Village families are families who have been formed with intention…and with love.
As we celebrate Pride Month, here are some heartwarming facts about how LBGTQIA+ families put the present parent mantra into action.
Studies suggest that “Gay parents tend to be more motivated, more committed than heterosexual parents on average because they chose to be parents. [LBGTQ+ families] rarely become parents by accident, compared with an almost 50 percent accidental pregnancy rate among heterosexuals. That translates to greater commitment on average and more involvement."
And guess what? The trends continue throughout the child’s entire educational experience, “...Same-sex parents may actually be more involved in their children’s education, on average, as compared to heterosexual parents. Namely, a survey of over 500 same-sex parents by the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that the parents surveyed—who had children ranging from kindergarten through 12th grade—were more likely to have volunteered at their child’s school (67% vs. 42%) and to have attended events such as Back-to-School night or parent–teacher conferences (94% vs. 77%), compared to a national sample.”
When raising resilient kids, we know that social and emotional well-being is as important as a strong educational foundation. Again, the research suggests that “...Growing up with sexual minority parents ‘may confer some advantages to children,’ possibly because they are more ‘tolerant of diversity and more nurturing towards younger children’ than heterosexual parents, adding that exploring gender and sexual identity ‘may actually enhance children’s ability to succeed and thrive in a range of contexts.’”
All of our Le Village families look and feel a little bit different. And that’s amazing. But with all of our differences, we also recognize that the thread that binds us together, the most important ingredient needed for children to thrive– is LOVE.
Finally, we are excited to celebrate Parent’s Day in July for our non-binary families. We will share more details soon!