Lithuanian human rights leader discusses raising a daughter in a multicultural environment

Jūratė Juškaitė, head of the Lithuanian Human Rights Centre, has shared insights into the daily challenges and joys of raising her 2.5-year-old daughter, Elena, with her partner Birutė Sabatauskaitė, in an interview with LRT Radio’s “Vaikystės laboratorija” (Childhood Laboratory).

Elena began attending kindergarten at around one year old, initially placed in a Russian-speaking group despite no one in the family speaking Russian. Juškaitė described this as an unexpected gift, as her daughter has since become bilingual. “She will have to separate the languages later, but at home we only speak Lithuanian,” she noted.

Juškaitė emphasised the importance of Elena growing up in a multicultural environment, reflecting Vilnius’s diverse identity. “It’s important to me that my child grows up accepting and understanding people who speak differently,” she said.

A 2024 court ruling officially recognised Juškaitė as Elena’s mother. Before the decision, she and Sabatauskaitė faced uncertainty when informing the kindergarten that two mothers would attend parent meetings. However, the response was ultimately positive, with the nursery teacher even congratulating Juškaitė on the court’s decision.

At home, the couple prioritise teaching Elena independence and practical life skills. “Our value is self-reliance. I always try to praise my daughter when she does something independently,” Juškaitė said. They also aim to avoid limiting Elena’s choices, ensuring she has access to a variety of toys, from dolls to construction sets.

Juškaitė observed that children quickly absorb societal gender norms. “She no longer wants to wear clothes suitable for both genders to kindergarten. She already considers some things acceptable and others not. Gender norms are still strong, and they manifest through children,” she stated.

The full conversation is available on LRT Radio’s “Vaikystės laboratorija”.