Do same-sex relationships count as family? The effects of personal characteristics, values, and contact on social workers’ definitions of same-sex relationships

Summary: This mixed-methods study examined whether heterosexual social workers define same-sex relationships within the concept of family. A sample of 490 Israeli social workers completed a survey that assessed their definition of same-sex relationships as family, their personal values, level of acquaintance with same-sex relationships, and demographics. The qualitative portion included an open-ended question on the way participants perceived social and professional changes concerning families. Findings: Results revealed that religiosity, gender, age, the values of universalism, benevolence and tradition, and level of acquaintance with same-sex relationships were direct predictors of the respondents’ definition of same-sex relationships as family. Level of acquaintance mediated the relationships between most demographic and value variables examined and respondents’ definition of same-sex relationships as family. Qualitative analysis endorsed the quantitative analysis. Applications: Theoretical and practice implications are discussed, underlining the central role that personal acquaintance with same-sex families has in reducing heterosexism, and the need to improve knowledge about same-sex families in social work education.