Should 3rd graders see film that deals w/ homosexuality?

Question

that's whats happening in new jersey and parents are outraged. their showing these little kids a film called "that's a family" and it deals w/ homosexual couples and their kids. telling our children basically that 2 men or 2 women is alright.
what do you think of it?

Answer 1

It is much to early for these kids to be thinking about sex at all, let alone anything but normal sexuality. people are pushing the homo agenda way to hard. It is not alright, it never has been and it never will be. what's wrong with pushing a little abstinece and purity?

Answer 2

I think it's great! What is the problem? Same sex couples raising kids is alright.

This is reality. Why shouldn't kids be exposed to reality at an early age? Parents that shield their children from the real world are doing a disservice to their children, and I've never understood it. I see no difference between a straight couple raising kids and a gay couple raising kids, and it's sad that there are people who do in this day and age. There have been multiple studies done that have shown that kids raised by same sex parents come out just as well adjusted as kids raised by straight couples. The fact is, there are plenty of same sex couples that are better parents than a lot of straight couples I've seen.

The only people that would have a problem with this are bigots. I think the reasons for their bigotry, and keeping that bigotry from being passed on to the next generation, are the real problems that need to be addressed, not same sex couples.

Some day, this country will look back on the bigotry that is so prevelent today, and it will be embarressed. It will be right to be.

Answer 3

This is a very tough question. For several reasons.

1.) There are certain things that should just be left up to the parents in my mind. Things like sex, homosexuality, teaching tolerance of others. These are all things that parents should be teaching and discussing with their children. That is part of my job as a parent.

2. However, there are many parents who don't talk to their kids. By third grade kids know about sex. Whether its from the parents, tv, or the where do babies come from question....With homosexuality becoming more and more open, and more and more gay couples adopting children, there is a good chance that these kids are going to see or hear something about it. I am sure this movie is not about sex, but just informing that they are out there. So it is important for kids to be aware of it, and at least try to understand it.

If you are like me, I don't feel I want the schools teaching that to my kid, that is something I would do. I would not get mad at the school, I mean, what about the kids who don't have good parents learn. Someone has to be there to teach them.

Answer 4

Yes, I think it is a good thing, especially if it deals with all types of families. Homosexuality doesn't need to be singled out--a video like this should also include children raised by grandparents, families with stepparents, single parents, etc. The video is just meant to promote tolerance and show the different meanings of family. A lot of kids might not be getting that message at home, so I don't see a problem with the school showing it.

Answer 5

LOL...the reality is that many 3rd graders are living with 2 men or 2 women as their parents.

The beauty of this is that as a parent you have the right to say,

"i do not want my child to see this film,"

and the public school system has an obligation to find something educational for those certain children to do during the time when children with more enlightened parents get to see how differences can make people beautiful.

Answer 6

It comes down to something, if I child is old enough to ask the question, you have to stop and give the proper answer. You can gloss some details over, but if you don't answer that child's question then others will.

I really see this as no different, while I believe that such a film should be shown to a child only with the consent (Signed form) from the parent.

While I don't think its wrong for them to have this teaching to be tolerant of same-sex relationships. I think it is up to the parent whether or not their child is exposed to this teaching.

Answer 7

I sense that you're against it from the way you're presenting your question.

As much as I understand why some parent's today feel uncomfortable about this issue for children at young age I'm sure the same course would have been uncomfortable for parents if it would have involved getting your kids used to seeing a "black person"(African american) at that age many years ago around 1950's.

It's good that kids are getting an education so early in life so they wont have to go through the "homo-phobia" (fear/paranoia of homosexuals) and that they get to undrestand this as a norm in society.

Of course you'd automatically judge me as a "PROponent" to this since I myself am "gay" but it's because I see what this "phobia" does to people. Desensitizing kids to this is the better way to go so we erradicate this anger/hatred/phobia while they're young and can learn to understand(dont need to accept it) the concept of two mommies or two daddies.

Unfortunately the fundies and other closed minded religious groups will disagree and feel the so sorry need to apply the "BIBLE" to everything and call it "wrong" but interracial relationships were also considered "wrong" unbiblical many years ago believe it or not. It's time to change and accept tolerance for others.

Answer 8

They are trying to teach acceptance to the children, so they don't make fun of or torment children that may have a family like that. I see nothing wrong with it. It's not going to make kids gay. It's just going to teach them we live in a diverse world and need to accept people for who they are. It really doesn't matter what I think about gay coupling or parenting, because it is happening all around me. It's not the child's fault his/her parents are gay. I teach my kids that other kids have different family's anyway (pre-k and 1st grade), so if they show a movie it would only reinforce what I've been telling them.
And if it's the video I have heard about before, it covers all family versatility - single parent homes, dual family homes where grandparents live with the parents, or grandparents are the primary parents- not just gay parents. A lot of people choose to focus on the gay part and forget about the rest of the film.

Answer 9

I think its good for kids to see that not just "heterosexuality" exists. I think that parents shield their children from reality because of fear, but the problem lies when the children are faced with that reality in every day situations, and how they've been taught to respond. Now a days, homosexuality is becoming more acceptable and open. If your child goes to school with a child that has two moms, or two dads, this gives them a chance to understand the age old question "why" and get a logical explanation. I think this is a great way to learn and accept, rather than guess and judge.

Answer 10

I have not heard of this practice, however, we are living in an age where this is acceptable, weather or not you or anyone else may feel it is right or wrong. Not only is homosexuality acceptable, but same sex marriages/unions are more prevalent nowadays and additionally, so are adoptions to these families. I think that shielding children from this is only going to alienate them more from society, rather than open their eyes to what is happening in the world around them. I suppose the only argument is that of the age of these children, which is quite young, however, i would argue that this is the time that their sense of right and wrong is being shaped, as well as the definitions of some adult things, such as marriage. So why not prepare them for it now, rather than waiting and possibly creating a bigot out of an otherwise innocent child?

Answer 11

i personally think that 3rd grade might be too young just because 8 year olds arent conserned with that stuff i would agree that it would be alright for lets say 5th graders but after that its to late b/c believe me by the time the are in middle school if your child goes to a public school they will be well informed about what homosexuality is from the other children in school whose parents arent shielding them from the world even if you would like to believe that if you don't tell them about it the will never know.