Shouldn't parents raise children to be open and loving people?

Question

. . . and kids should be able to find out who they are without being pressured to think one way or another.

Shouldn't Parents provide positive role models, both straight and gay, so there isn't this sense of "us and them" ?

In the United States alone, there are millions of people with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) parent(s).

While research shows that there are no significant developmental differences or negative affects on children of LGBT parents, these youth do report facing significantly more prejudice and discrimination because societal homophobia and transphobia.

Answer 1

Great question.

I guess I had some radically different parents.
My father, a white guy from Canada, used to direct a predominantly black dance show in Chicago when I was growing up. He also directed several other shows aimed at specific cultural groups. So, we (my brother and I) were raised to respect all people regardless of color, race, religion, cultural differences...etc.
My Mom even helped develop this sense of "World View" by teaching us about other culturally significant holidays, ways of worship, traditions...etc. We didn't only celebrate Christmas, but Winter Solstice/Yule and Hanukkah. We didn't only celebrate Easter, but also Passover and the Equinox/Candlemas.
We were encouraged to accept invitations to friends church services or family traditions.

I have carried on this "tradition" by raising my son in a similar fashion. I've taken him to Passover celebrations with friends, have taught him Pagan traditions, Christian traditions and Greek traditions as his paternal grandfather was Greek.

I think I've provided him with a greater sense of "World View" as well as a larger awareness of those around us. I believe all children should be exposed to as much of life as possible so they can actually form fully informed decisions about their own direction in life.

Answer 2

Absolutely - I grew up with my mother who had a gay roommate for many years....it was hard because my brother and I got picked on for having a lesbian mother....which overlooks the fact that my brother and i are here so she has to have had a relationship with a man....I don't feel that it affected me as much as society does...I am very open minded which seems to be a better way to live life...I get more out of life than someone who doesn't take chances and lives like a hermit...plus the world changes everyday and things that weren't acceptable in society have become acceptable - how hard is it to adjust to these changes if you aren't open minded? Parents should love their children no matter what after all even if it is not accepted by society who wants to be the same as everyone else? These little things are what makes us different from one another....how boring if we were all alike.....love unconditional and help make this world a better place free - truely free by letting go of societies uncompassionate ridiculous ideals....

Answer 3

I honestly believe that it shouldnt matter what your sexual preferences are or what color your skin is to be a good person. I am a mom of 3 and I want good decent people around my children who love them and treat them with respect. I have a variety of different cultures and preferences in my family and friends, I think it is a good thing to have them around straight, gay, or whatever to teach them that there should be no boundaries or restrictions on friendship or love. I dont ever want my children to discriminate against people for any reason. Who cares if a person is gay, it doesnt make them wierd or bad. Gay people have just as much love to show as anyone else. Kids need good role models no matter what the background is. To me homophobia means ignorance. People fear the unknown, but through education and tolerance with our youth our world would be a better place. Who is to say that just because you are gay you cant raise a kid right? I have a friend who is gay and he raises his kid just fine and they are happy. People need to drop the "us and them" barrier and get on with showing love and compassion to everyone in the human race.

Answer 4

One problem is that children not only learn what they are taught by their parents, they also learn by observing what their parents do. So a parent might not actively be teaching a kid to be a stupid bigot, if the child observes a parent acting in that manner it can steer them in that direction.
That is why I wish Aliens would land on the White House lawn in full view of the world. Maybe if we saw that we were not alone in the world we would realize we are all part of humanity and our cultural and racial differences are our strengths not a dividing weakness.

Answer 5

It is not only about the parents.
In schools there is the biggest opportunity too.
Been a teacher at a high school for many years:and there the bigotry starts to take shape.
I always talked very openly about the diversity in sexual attraction and told them that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Many,wanted a private talk in my breaks.
I helped them as well as i could,
Even with their parents,if they encountered problems at home.
I just invited them to come to school in my own time,sit them down and talked about their issues.
I must add,that because of my honesty I was well respected.
Never had any negative reaction to my face.
And what is or was said around my back is of no importance.
Wish more people dared do that.
Glad to say that I live in Holland:a free and civilized country.
We are treated here as equals,not like trash.
Greetings:Rob.xxx

Answer 6

Children are not born to hate and discriminate. It's something they learn, and where do they learn it? From their parents. The abilities to love and to accept others who are different should be nurtured and not poisoned.

Then again, this may be too tough of a task for parents given that most mothers and fathers have difficulty teaching their kids to the most basic of manners.

Answer 7

Yeah they should, however most parents shouldn't have ever had children and cannot get the basics "please and thank you" down, let alone this sort of socialization.

The reality is that people don't really want kids, they want babies which lasts all of about 30 seconds. Raising children is about as hard a job as I have have ever had, and it never ends.

I am bisexual and into BDSM, my ex (their father) is also bisexual and a transvestite who used to preform as a Drag Queen in his younger days. My children have "aunts and uncles" of just about every kind of sexuality and situation you can think of, and while we were not open with our private lives until our children were teens, we have always been open with our relationships and our friends. I can't think of better role models than common people living their lives, and I personally think that gives young people a better grip on life than public figures as role models. If mom and dad and their friends and family are good people and handle their lives as they should, that's going to mean more. They can see it every day.

For the record, my daughters(twins), age 23, both in grad school, one is straight and the other is bisexual. Both are intelligent, tolerant, honest and understand the wicked irony of our family motto "life sucks, then you die". Please understand that is meant with humor not depression. For us it means "life is tough for everyone, stop whining and get on with it"


Just my thoughts as a mom who feels she did alittle better parenting than her parents, who did alittle better parenting than theirs.

Answer 8

Absolutely!

Kids should be able to develop their own opinions and ideas and still feel like they are loved.

I think it's important to give kids an idea of the history and contributions of lesbians and gays.

Gay and Lesbians have fought an uphill struggle, and that is important to realize.

There are gay and lesbians everywhere. All over the world, there are communities everywhere.

Answer 9

Yes they should, any loving parent should raise their child to their best knowledge, but also teach their child & or children that no one is different then they are and the old phrase comes to mind, treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Answer 10

Don't go making sense now :P

You are gonna stir up the bigots nest!

Yes, I totally agree with you. I have tried to teach through words and actions. I also urge them to challenge norms and provoke discussion on topics of interest instead of blindly accepting them as fact.