Gay Families discussed in 6-year-old book. O'Reilly's take

Zeke Zabertini · Captain Joined: 13 Sep 2002 Posts: 4832

Well, I do think that it should simply be taken as a given, but I don't see the harm in teaching kids this stuff. I can understand that it's important for people to learn about these issues, but personal experience could suffice. If you do want to educate children on homosexuality, I think it should be done "casually," not pointed out. For example, show two men together in some pictures instead of a man and a woman. Pointing out differences and outlining them increases stigma between groups in social issues such as these. In working towards social equality, these things must be acknowledged as reality by children and adults alike. However, I see no point in accentuating such differences at an early grade-school level. While it is important for young children to grow and learn about the issues of our society, it is wrong to involve them in our controversies at such a young age. Thus, I agree that homosexuality should be neutrally acknowledged in education, not taught in elementary school. If not for exactly the same reason (or at least from a different angle on the same reason), I agree with O'Reilly on this topic.

Seven of Nine · **Fri May 13, 2005 10:31 pm**

I agree that it shouldn't be taught to young children. When I was six, I knew that most of my friends had a mummy and daddy and maybe brothers and sisters, but that my friend and a couple of other kids in my class didn't have a daddy living at home. I didn't think why until I was older- I just wasn't interested in anything like that. Even when it came to race- I wasn't interested in why some of the other kids were a different colour, apart from it being a difference like some kids had different hair colours and eye colours. I was more interested in why I had to wear a uniform but my best friend got to wear dresses (uniform wasn't compulsary then), not having green (that's a boy's colour

) and playing in the playground.

When the children are older, it should maybe be discussed, but no way at such a young age. I don't think most children are particulary interested, and if one or two of them have specific questions they should be answered but I doubt they'd even arise at their age.

Theresa · **Fri May 13, 2005 10:47 pm**

Republican_Man · **Fri May 13, 2005 10:51 pm**

AndrewBullock · **Fri May 13, 2005 11:00 pm**

Yeah.. schools feel as if they are the real parents of the kids so they can just talk about what ever they want and thats not right.

"Hey mom.. the teacher read us a book about sex." How would you respond to that when you 5 year old son or daughter says that to you? I'd be pretty mad if that were me.

Why expose them to this stuff now? I don't think kids this age should have to know about this stuff at such a young age. There basicly taking away parenting issues into there own hands.

~Andrew

Zeke Zabertini · Captain Joined: 13 Sep 2002 Posts: 4832

On the other side of that issue though, there will always be controversial topics. Kids should still be taught about things. This is where debates about evolution versus creationism arise in public education. Obviously the history of mankind is an important element in a complete education, but to teach any one thing is biased, and there isn't time or resources to teach every single theory.

...Okay, I just went way more off topic than I intended. Carry on.

Lord Borg · **Fri May 13, 2005 11:10 pm**

I think the point is, that a parnet should have the right to choose what the young child learns especialy when said child is only 6 years old

AndrewBullock · **Fri May 13, 2005 11:10 pm**

Well, I understand what you mean. I just don't think it's right to expose inocent kids to this kind of stuff at school. That's why they have parents. Parents are the school on this subject and it should be first learned from them. That's why they call it 'parenting'

Just the thought that kids will be exposed to this stuff on the next day of school... it's crap.

Starbuck · **Sat May 14, 2005 10:47 am**

I don't particularly mind this. I've seen kids younger than 5 or 6 who know about this, and its a fact of life. These kids don't need to be sheltered from the facts of life, and the more we shelter our children, the worse off our children are, because they'll make uninformed descisions.

Republican_Man · **Sat May 14, 2005 11:23 am**

Starbuck · **Sat May 14, 2005 1:16 pm**

madlilnerd · **Sat May 14, 2005 1:18 pm**

I would define a childhood as a stage in a young persons life where they have little or no responsibilty and are free to develop and grow without pressures from society.

Zeke Zabertini · Captain Joined: 13 Sep 2002 Posts: 4832

I think that ends when you go into school.

Republican_Man · **Sat May 14, 2005 2:45 pm**

AndrewBullock · **Sat May 14, 2005 7:26 pm**

I agree with RM.

Children are INOCENT. The school aren't the parents. There job is to teach about math and how to spell "Apple." Not homosexuality! There kids. Don't let them be exposed to this kind of stuff because it isn't right at such a young age.

Republican_Man · **Sat May 14, 2005 7:37 pm**

^Right. Will Ferrel just came out with a new VERY, VERY FUNNY movie, Kicking and Screaming, mostly a children's film. However, what I didn't like about it was how this one kid had two moms--and it's a KIDS' MOVIE!
They didn't go too in-depth, but still. That's not right.
And even though I don't want to see it, a lot of young children like Hilary Duff, and in the preview for her new movie, there's a gay guy talking about looking for another guy for years. I just don't think it's right to include such a thing.

AndrewBullock · **Sat May 14, 2005 7:45 pm**

Is there no decency?

People today.. It amazes me how people can do that to kids. Soon they'll be telling a 5 year old kid how to use a condom

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

I think this is very good. I think children should learn that homosexuality is a normal thing, that occurs in every country, in every street, in every home. Children are much smarter than we adults sometimes think.
My father is handicapped, and I grew up thinking that was a normal thing. It didn't bother me. But when I walked in the streets I saw people looking at him, and I found out that it wasn't so normal as I thought it was.
It's the same thing with homosexuality. I think it's just as normal as heterosexuality, but there are lots of people who think of it otherwise.

Starbuck · **Sun May 15, 2005 9:44 am**

Birdy · Socialist Joined: 20 Sep 2004 Posts: 13502 Location: Here.

Republican_Man · **Sun May 15, 2005 11:30 am**

You DON'T teach little kids about homosexuality. Wait until they're 11 or 12--maybe 10 if you have to. Let them have a CHILDHOOD. It's not good to teach them things like this at such a young age.

AndrewBullock · **Sun May 15, 2005 11:49 am**

RM, your wasting your words. We all have different ways of doing things. To be honest no one know's the correct way. We all just have to play it by ear. We shouldn't shield our children from life, but we shouldn't expose them to stuff like that at a young age. Again... we don't know if thats the right way to handel it..

Zeke Zabertini · Captain Joined: 13 Sep 2002 Posts: 4832

AndrewBullock · **Sun May 15, 2005 2:09 pm**

^^See^^