What do you think about Gay orientated story books for primary schools ?

Question

I am in no way homophobic and have two children at primary school and think this it totally inappropriate. It should not be thrust on children this young in my opinion. Let them be kids for christ sake.

Answer 1

I don't think its right. I will probably get hundreds of thumbs down now but hey.

If they feel they have to do anything like this, I think at most they should teach kids in sex education that lesbian and gay relationships are just as valid these days as hetero ones. Basically EDUCATE them on the reality of it.

Although at LEAST wait until they are of a decent age to understand what all of this is about (say pre-teens/teenage). Who is thinking about relationships at age 5 for God's sake?!

To tell them stories like 'The King and the King' and other such things is just plain wrong IMHO.

Answer 2

Wow...I don't mind homosexuality and I find this hard to belive that any schools would allow such books in their library but if this is true, that is....shocking...most primary school children still don't know about loving each other more than how they love their family and friends. After a child reads that book, I would think a lot of kids would be a little confused. It's a bit like asking them if they want to be a homosexual...and I don't think very many parents WANT their children to be a homosexual, of course if one's child becomes a homosexual, then he/she should love their children just the same as before, but we don't need to expose children to these kinds of subjects at such an early age. If the parents want to give their primary school children a choice to be a homosexual or not, then they can go and buy that book themselves, and besides many many parents I know of would be upset if their children came home with a gay oriented story book!!!

And yes, some (I say, some) kids may realize that the two men or two women are a couple, I work at a preschool and it is AMAZING and sometimes a bit disturbing how much these children know, I don't know where they get these information from, but it seems like although they don't fully understand everything (such as sex), they have a pretty good idea of what it's about...

Answer 3

I have just graduated from Sunderland University and it was my lecturer who has written the books. And I am gay too! And I am a primary teacher! So here is my view! Lol.

Well I dont think we should judge the books before we have seen them - the penguin story is based upon the real life story of the gay penguins in London Zoo. Admittedly it was animals, however gay families are something that happens in our society and affects children.

The traditional family in school is sadly fading away - and many children experience a range of different family settings. Yes, the gay family may be in a small minority, but what about the children in a class somewhere who has two dads? Some children I'm sure will be curious and will not understand. These books aren't going to go into great detail! They are simply going to show that loving families can consist of a range of possibilities - from single mothers (of which I have read to children) or foster parents. Children are more aware of the enviroment around them than many adults give them credit for.

But yes I can also see the other side of the coin. Children have problems understanding the very basic concepts of friendship and relationships and alot of time is spent ensuring children openly discuss social skills in the classroom. Do we need to introduce more topics of discussion? And one which admittedly, some children will fail to understand?

The director of the project is one of the best lecturers I had at uni and she was very in touch with social issues - always making you think subjectively about current hot topics. I hope to adopt next year, and I would happy if these books were available to the children in my child's class. It is something that happens in society today. However, maybe it should be something that is discussed at a later stage in the schooling environment?

Answer 4

Do you think that the children would realise that the story was about gays? I am not sure if they would. Unless the teacher fully explained about the actual relationship between the people then I think it wouldn't even register with the reader that there was anything different perhaps? I just say this because I have a daughter of 5 and I am sure she wouldn't have a clue as to any theme attached to a story - unless they were older boys and kissing in the book or so? I don't agree with gay orientation being taught to children though. I don't think any sort of orientation should be taught - an individual works this out for themselves at a certain age.

Answer 5

I believe that if the book is tastefully done so that the children are not being bombarded by sexual orientation it's ok. Truth is heterosexuality and homosexuality are a part of life. Who's to say what's "Normal". Now if the story had a line like, "Richie's two dads came to the school to pick him up." or "Richie lives next door with his two dads.", I personally think those types of books would be ok. But! If they were constantly throwing orientation up such as "Richie lives with his two gay dads next door." I would not like it. I, on the other hand, also wouldn't want lines like "Richie and his heterosexual Mom and Dad live next door." in a book neither. Orientation doesn't have to be made topic in a child's book. To me no child's book should be "sexually oriented". Kid's books about families, should be just that, about families. Sexual orientation will come soon enough. As teens it confuses them enough. We should let them be children of innocence for as long as we can.

Answer 6

All I can say is thank god I live in Portugal and won't have the same problem with my kids' schools. Far too much information far too soon, I think. Inappropriate is the right word. People should be free to find out about their own sexual orientation as they are growing up without a bunch of politicised adults thrusting their opinions about "lifestyle options" at them from the age of 5. I'd like to add that I'm not homophobic either.

Answer 7

why is it inappropriate,children accept things better at an early age,my son was at primary school when he found out my sis,is gay and he said he's not bothered he still loves her and he's now got two aunties who spoil him!! don't under estimate young children,after all some will be gay themselves,they will be able to cope better,those that aren't will accept gay people for who they are and not what their sexual orientation is,the world would probably be a less homophobic place,if they were taught at an earlier age,as long as its not sex orientated.

Answer 8

Totally agree with you. This pro Gay movement is breaking boundaries they should be weel aware they have to respect. Whether they like it or not they live in a society with set stnadards and what they are causing is a disruption on principals that are meant to respect other people. Look at in any which way, it is not normal, it is inmoral and it should NOT be shown to children as something normal. I'm not homophobic either, but some boundaries have to be respected.

If they don't like it, let them go build an all gay society in an island where they can adopt each other and don't distort any kids reality.

Answer 9

Have you noticed that whenever a question is posted on anything remotely connected to the politically correct syndrome that the majority of people are not prejudiced but feel we are going too far. We all know at least one gay, I work with a lad who is a great mate, I have no problem with him. He knows my opinion and respects that as I respect his sexuality. However I object to the constant interference by the government, leave the children to be children, don't burden them with things which at this age are largely irrelevant. Sadly however it will happen because our government, democratically elected to carry out the will of the people simply will not listen to the majority view. Perhaps at election time they will finally realise they have sadly misjudged the voting public.

Answer 10

The word 'gay' has lost its meaning by way of the years. that's defined as happy, being involved in an identical intercourse or purely purely an insult. It probable began out as that during the previous while being gay grew to become into seen very undesirable and young infants purely used it for the sake of it. have faith me, 0.5 the infants recently do no longer comprehend 0.5 the swear words/ insults they use, they only capture it from others.