how young is too young to tell a child about homosexuality?

Question

i am a straight mother of three and i completely support gay rights!!! my explanation to my then 5 year old daughter was that god made us to love who we wish to love and that only our heart decides who we have feelings for. i told her young so that she wouldnt be shocked, or before she hears something offensive regarding gay people.but i also told her that although i support gay rights she can make up her own mind. she supports gay rights as well,but i just want to know,what do you think is the youngest you woulld explain homosexuality to your child(wether you support it or not)

i didnt tell her about sex per say, she doent even know how heterosexual sex works, i just didnt want her to have a heart attack if she saw two men/women kiss,being that she grew up in a straight household i figured she might be surprised i wanted to be the first to talk to her. and i dont see gay people as different but others do so i wanted her to know.

Answer 1

I have a 7 year old and she knows about homosexuality, she found out at the age of four. The time they ask like a million and one questions; anyway we were walking in the park and two women were on a blanket kissing, and cuddling. I gently explained to her that some people like people of the same sex, like mommy and daddy except they are two girls or two boys. It is on TV, in public places, children have a right to know and parents should be the first to explain to children about life. And that there are alot of different things in life, my child is aware of drugs, alcohol, sex. I talk to my children about everything openly and honestly and on a level that they can comprehend. It all depends on what you are comfortable sharing with your child. But I would rather inform my child than perhaps someone misinforming them.

Answer 2

No age is too young. They see straight people all over, why not explain to them that some people are born with an attraction to the same sex. Don't give too much info, just answer questions if they ask. If they don't then it probably doesn't bother them, and they probably really don't understand, but at least giving them that knowledge will help them develop a tolerance.

Answer 3

When I was a kid, my mom had a couple of gay friends. I was exposed to her gay friends a lot. Whether or not this was on purpose on her part, I don't know. Looking back on it, I'm really glad that I was exposed to homosexuals early on. I never really questioned tolerance of homosexuals because of it. I've always just seen them as people regardless of sexual preference. I was 6 or 7 when I was first introduced to it so I don't think that 5 is too young.

Answer 4

Whenever you give your child the "sex talk", which is absolutely necessary in my opinion, that's when you could get into detail about homosexuality. I think what you told your daughter is great and I applaud you. It's important for parents to express that all that matters is love, especially with regards to sex between consenting adults. Good for you, these early years are so important and to teach acceptance is absolutely essential.

Answer 5

I would just incorporate it into whatever else you're talking about. So...the same age I would explain heterosexuality, or "relationships" in general. Talking about kids with different kinds of families is a really good way to bring it up in terms that they can understand.

Answer 6

I wouldn't really attempt to explain such (and we're gay; together for over 32 years). It should be simple to explain as a FACT that there are different types of homes and households.

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For kids that age, a simple acknowledgement that those people are together should be more than enough.

Answer 7

I also have a five year old son and a seven year old son. It is actually a pretty complicated topic. But the day and age we live in, my children have unfortunately been exposed to homosexual behavior, because of some of my family members, and they once saw a commercial on public television where men were kissing....So I put it to them this way...some people choose to have relationships with the same sex but it was not intended that way...boys go with girls and girls go with boys...and I would change the subject just give your child a short explanation to satisfy her curiosity and than change the subject to something more pleasant, who is your best friend or what did you do in school today...you always should try to redirect their attention to something a 5 year old mind should be thinking about colors, shapes, words, happiness...As they get older you will be able to explain in more depth...but as long as they are old enough to ask than you do the answering....good luck to you

Answer 8

No one ever wonders how old it is acceptable to tell your children about heterosexuality. If they are old enough to know about one then they are old enough to know about the other.

I do agree with what you did though, it is extremely important to teach tolerance as early as possible. My mom talked to me about racism and what was wrong with it when I was six or seven and even if it's not what she intended, very likely considering her own homophobia, it's from those morals that I developed my views on tolerance of all things including sexuality.

Note that since I'm only sixteen and have no little ones of my own this is just a personal opinion based on some knowledge of child psychology and my own views on tolerance.

Answer 9

I do not think that a five year old has the capacity to understand sexual issues in the first place. Sexuality is only one part of a persons identity. I would probably hold off until she starts asking about sex or starts to be more exposed to it by the media.

Answer 10

The biggest mistake mom's make is giving their child way too much information. You took a lifetime to get to the point you're at - give the child a simple explanation when they ask. When it's relevant. Your complex explanation sounds suspicious. It screams THEY'RE DIFFERENT! Love them IN SPITE OF! I never said anyting to my kids and they had no trouble accepting the gay people who came into their lives.