They Would get the ‘Heebeejeebees’: Indirect and Direct Family Socialization of Heteronormativity

Abstract Families are often a primary site of socialization, which can intentionally or unintentionally have lasting impacts on children’s attitudes towards outgroup members. Guided by queer theory and intergroup communication, we investigated the direct and indirect family socialization messages from 597 heterosexual cisgender college students recalled from their families regarding the LGBTQ + community. This investigation illuminated the type of messages families socialize children to believe about sexual outgroups. Participants identified LGBTQ + messages that either maintained or disrupted heteronormativity. Direct messages that disrupted heteronormativity included verbal acceptance, while indirect messages included positive intergroup contact. Direct messages maintaining heteronormativity included illness metaphors, oppressive language, and condemnation. Indirect messages included assumed gender roles, jokes, combustion, and taboo/avoidance. These findings suggest that the family can, directly and indirectly, socialize positive and negative attitudes toward the LGBTQ + community. We discuss the implications of these findings, including considering the family as the site of intergroup socialization as well as critically interrogating the family as a political, not personal, entity.