– Why does Lotta have two mothers? It is not always so easy to explain to the very little ones why something is different. Tale Tøstie and his wife Kaja Slotnæs have gotten used to answering the question. In the nursery, the little ones wonder about most things and the family tries to explain as best they can. – It’s not just answering a 4-year-old. You must answer briefly and comprehensibly, says Tøstie. The background as a teacher comes in handy when she has to explain. Tøstie is keen to meet them in a good way, but is also aware that it should not be perceived as unpleasant for her daughter. – Children tend to be very repetitive and ask the same thing several times. But eventually they give up. Shortage Over 1,600 children grow up with same-sex parents, figures from Bufdir show. But it is not reflected in children’s literature. Both Cappelen Damm and Gyldendal tell news that such books are in short supply. Tøstie has tried to find books with more diversity. Books that show same-sex parents in a normal family situation. – I started with a Google search, but nothing came up, says Tøstie. Tale Tøstie and Kaja Slotnæs want more diversity in children’s books. Photo: Privat Several family forms Professor of Nordic literature at the University of Bergen, Eirik Vassenden, says that diversity can be particularly important in children’s literature. This is because it is more challenging for the little ones to know what might be missing from a story. – Children do not have the same ability to assess as adults, says Vassenden. He receives support from Tone Hellesund, professor of cultural studies at the same university. She says that it is important to represent different family forms. – It is important for children to feel like a natural and natural part of society, she says. Wanting more In the last five years, the number of children growing up with same-sex parents has increased by over 63 per cent, figures from Bufdir show. The overview is not complete and the number is probably higher. When Tøstie looked for books for her daughter, only research on same-sex parents came up. – I think it was very strange, says Tøstie. She is keen to read to her children so that they can develop a better understanding of their identity. The lack of books has made her take matters into her own hands. – When my first husband was small, I made my own children’s book. As the daughter has grown older, she has felt an even greater need for books that suit their family. – I know how important it is to be able to meet people you identify with in literature. Book montage of a selection of last year’s children’s books. – It’s okay to be different Vera Danielsen Lindbach is a literary scholar and children’s librarian. She is passionate about more diverse children’s literature and believes that representation in children’s books can help break down prejudices. – Children are finding out who they are. In order for them to understand that people are different, and that it is okay that something is different, they must be able to see it in literature, says Lindbach. Children in rainbow families can feel lonely when they cannot recognize themselves in literature, she says. – If you never see your own family in a book, you can start to wonder: Do I exist? Where am I located? Are there others like me or am I the only one? The literary scholar believes that children’s literature should showcase what is different in a normal way. – We must not problematize it so much. Children’s literature is the path to normalization. It will have an enormously positive impact on society if everyone can recognize themselves in literature, says Lindbach. Although such books are in short supply, there are some exceptions. Like, for example, the book “Brillebjørn” by Ida Jackson. Easier for children to understand Tøstie, the mother of two, also believes it is important that children are exposed to different family forms. She also doesn’t think rainbow families are illustrated well enough in children’s films and TV series. – There are quite a few TV programs that are about family, and therefore I think it is strange that there is so little diversity in the families that are shown. She believes that a more diverse range of children’s literature will make it easier for other children to understand. For Tøstie’s daughter, two mums is the reality she knows. – I think the children who wonder would perhaps not be as surprised by it, if they more often saw two fathers or two mothers in the entertainment. Children’s reality is the one we give them. Hi Did you think of anything in particular when you read this case? I work with diversity at news and would like to hear from you! Please send me an email.
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Very few children’s books illustrate same-sex parents – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
