Many Dutch school children think people with other sexual orientations are lesser

Over four in ten Dutch high school children do not believe that people with a different sexual orientation are equal, scientists concluded in a study among secondary school students commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.

Teenagers are conservative when it comes to views on visible expression of gender diversity. 61 percent disagreed with the statement: “At least half of the toilets at school must be gender-neutral.” Slightly less than a third of respondents were in favor of all schools celebrating Purple Friday, a day on which children can show their solidarity with their LGBTQIA+ peers by wearing purple at school.

The scientists also investigated which personal and social factors are associated with young people's views. Religion plays a role in this. Religious youth are more conservative on average than non-religious youth. 86 percent of Muslim youth hold relatively conservative views. Among Crhstians, this is 69 percent; among nonreligious youth, 48 percent.

Researchers at the University of Amsterdam analyzed two large datasets containing responses from over 31,000 secondary school students aged 12 to 18. In the first study, over 1,600 teens answered questions in 2024 regarding gender, Purple Friday, and gender-neutral toilets. In the second study, over 30,000 teens were asked questions between 2021 and 2024 about equality and the right to decide for oneself who to love.

Because the responses date back several years, the data may be outdated. The researchers warned that young people’s views may have changed again and urged for more studies, also including other age groups.

The researchers also report that the second study is not fully representative of Dutch secondary education. VMBO students are overrepresented, and students from ethnic minorities are underrepresented. The results should therefore be interpreted “cautiously,” the researchers said.

The LGBTQIA+ rights organization COC is concerned by the figures. The organization calls on the new Cabinet to provide more support to students, teachers, and educators to promote acceptance.