Is it wrong for a teacher to tell his/her students that he/she feels homosexuality is immoral?

Question

Second question:

Is it wrong for a teacher to tell his/her students that he/she feels that homosexuality is moral?

Answer 1

A teacher shouldn't be talking about morals in the first place.

First question: definitive yes.
Second question: biased no, but more practically, yes.

Answer 2

The short answer to both: yes
Teachers are an authority figure for students. They need to be responsible with that authority. Odds are really great that many of their students are GLBT. To tell those students a personal opinion like "homosexuality is wrong" can damage the individual. That is highly irresponsible of them to hurt an individual in their care.
In a situation with all adults, I think that a person has a right to express their opinions, even if they disagree with others or tick some people off. The situation that you're talking about is dealing with children. It doesn't matter if they're 5 or 15. They don't make the realization that that is that individual's opinion and not necessarily a fact that has been proven without a doubt scientifically.
A teacher's job is to teach the students facts and help them find their path in this world. It's to help them understand the world around them and find their own place in it. That's where it ends. To express opinions forces views on minds that are too young to readily get the difference between facts and opinions.

Answer 3

I think it REALLY depends. It depends on how it is brought up and everything else. After they are teachers.

JUST SAY. You was in school. You adored this ONE teacher. You was STRUGGLING with this in your mind. Like a lot of young people do. However the situation was brought up. The teacher says yes is OK to have homosexual feelings, or to be homosexual. There now one day have school or whatever. You stay after to school. That teacher is there. You walked in their class room. You ask them to explain it a little more or that you just struggling with the fact you might be. NOW you have someone of an adult figure that you can talk it about it. To GET an educational understanding of the situation. WOULDN'T you want to do that way. Then secretly go behind everyone back (PARENT/S MAINLY) and cause yourself bodily harm?

After all I know there are 100s of people that do not agree with homosexuality AT all. Yet there are 100s of people that strongly support homosexuality. It is EXTREMELY hard for a lot of parents to take in and understand they have a homosexual son or daughter. There are cases were the parents will disown there OWN child because of it. REGARDLESS of their beliefs or whatnot. That is STILL your child regardless of heterosexuality, or homosexuality.

If the child was heterosexual. There would be NO change at all. However if the child displayed homosexuality it is time to SHIP them off, or kick them out. But that is NOT the right thing to do.

You still need to be a parent. Give the LOVE and the SUPPORT, and the GUIDNESS you would if they were heterosexual.

I just think it depends on the environment in which the teacher discussed the topic.

Answer 4

A teacher in what context? Elementary school or community college or in between?
As a legal question, it raises disturbing questions as to whether or not such an educator can impartially implement a ciriculum. What if a gay student missed that day and came out to that teacher with a related problem and that teacher retaliated with poor marks or worse?
On the other hand, the First Amendment right to free speech does protect an opinion. Was this done during class time for which the teacher was being paid? Was this a public or private school or other classroom setting? Was it done on public school property or in private settings (private school, union rally, sidewalk, weekend political convention, etc...).
Many questions and not enough answers. Not discriminatory on its surface, but a certain "red flag" for sure.

Answer 5

It depends on how old the students are. I am a teacher myself, and I work with adults, so I don't have to worry much. But I do have a few minors in my classes, and I have some ethical questions every now and then, like am I allowed to even refer to how children are made, in front of minors?

My usual policy in these matters is not to discuss it in class, and, if some people ARE interested in the discussion, then AFTER the class, and if possible OUTSIDE the classroom, when we aren't teacher and students any more, but just ordinary people, we can all state what we think about it.

Now, I have to confess the difference between the two questions you asked made me think a little. But my conclusion is that either way, it depends on many other factors, but I would not state my views (which are that homosexuality IS moral) in the classroom.

Answer 6

It depends on the age of the students and what area of study they are doing at the time. There is a big difference between elementary school and college and if they are younger than 16 I would say yes but again it is depending on the class they are in. I don't agree with the teacher but if the students are older and it is following class discussion then no it's not wrong to give his/her opinion.

Answer 7

There are certain subjects that as a teacher I wouldn't touch with a 20 foot pointer. Personal beliefs on politics, religion, sexual orientation are just a few. An intelligent teacher would know not to give out opinions either way on these matters. It can only cause trouble. Teachers are for teaching facts, not spreading personal beliefs.

Answer 8

Depends on the venue, a Baptist Sunday school teacher would be remiss if he didn't address moral issues. A public school math teacher would have no business bringing it up. It is not the function of the school to raise the kids, only to educate them.

Answer 9

In my opinion, discrimination is immoral. So perhaps the teacher's views are immoral. Even so, I don't know if expressing those views would count as immoral. It probably would not make anyone who is homosexual feel comfortable in the class, so I would say it is best for the teacher to keep such views to themselves.

Answer 10

It is always dangerous for a teacher to express his or her personal opinion, as someone will eventually object and say they are using their position of authority to unduly influence their students. My teachers always managed to sidestep questions of personal values quite deftly, though I wish they were able to speak freely sometimes. I believe it is fine for a teacher to teach the existence of all major differing opinions -- including ones on religion and morality. In fact, to do otherwise is to "unduly influence" the student by only expressing the values in the accepted curricula and leads to dangerous ego-centrism in a globalized world.

Answer 11

Why should a teacher be talking about morals? That is a word I have never heard outside of church.

I do think that a teacher should be talking about the value of freedom in our country and the value of respecting other people and allowing them to love and express love to whomever they feel love for.