The Wright Stuff topic today (Gay Books For Junior Schools)

[sophie]

Not sure how ide feel about it bein in school to be honest, i have no problems with gay people (OH's uncle is gay). just cant imagine it bein put in books in schools.
pointless post from me really

 

[beanie]

I think it would be fine in schools so long as it is dealt with in the correct manner, by that i mean its seen as being as normal as a man and woman relationship and not being made a great deal of it, if that makes sense?

I agree. Being gay is much more socilly acceptable these days (about time) and I think that it needs to be dealt with in a responsible manner, and not taught it is wrong, unusual or abnormal.

 

[K X]

Against! Just want my daughter to be kept innocent for as long as possible. Just like I wouldn't want her taught sex ed b4 she was a teenager.

Sorry I just want her to keep her innocence and be a child for as long as possible. They are subjected to too much info at an early age nowadays.

I have a male friend who is gay, I love him 2 bits so I am not homophobic

 

[budge]

doesn't anyone think there are more important things to learn at school than homosexuality?????

If they make room for such lessons then they take away a portion of time for important lessons like reading and maths.

I shall object strongly when my daughters' school announces such measures and i shall take the children out of school if necessary.

 

[Minxy]

If they make room for such lessons then they take away a portion of time for important lessons like reading and maths.

The sexuality issue aside, there are movments in education to move towards more 'emotional intelligence' teaching, helping children to cope with feelings of anger, sadness etc and build their personal and social skills. Curriculums are devoting whole lessons to this. This will inevitably lead to reduction in time spent on the basic skills like reading and writing.

I think emotional intelligence is absolutely KEY to a child's development but wonder sometimes if schools are now trying to do a job which traditionally fell under the banner of parenting?

I agree with you Budge that less time spent on basic skills is dangerous. I tutor school leavers, some of whom can barely read and it's scary!

 

[Ebony_Mommy]

doesn't anyone think there are more important things to learn at school than homosexuality?????

If they make room for such lessons then they take away a portion of time for important lessons like reading and maths.

I shall object strongly when my daughters' school announces such measures and i shall take the children out of school if necessary.

 

[beanie]

I managed to learn about sex education including about homosexual relationships and still get all my GCSE's. Hasn't it always been part of the curriculum, especially as there are a lot of parents out there who do not bother to teach their children about safe sex? My understanding was that it would either be incorporated into this, or that the books would be there as other books are, instead of topsy and tim there is kevin and tim Not that extra lessons would have to be created. Haven't heard much about it though so am going to do some reading around the subject.

 

[budge]

well i don't think or ever wil think there is a need to cram homosexuality down childrens throats.

 

[beanie]

Its not cramming it down their throats though. Like I said before gay couples are more socially acceptable and there are couples in tv, in films etc not being a big deal but just there. Thats how I see these books, they are there to show children that being gay is normal, not look at this gay couple!!!! Kids are more accepting and will just see it as another type of relationship. Also children who are gay and having difficulties coming to terms with their sexualities may feel more a part of society and not so isolated

I can't find the story anywhere, has anyone got a link?

 

[Hypnorm]

i think id rather not bring my kids up to believe that having sex with the same sex is the norm.
Sorry if this offends anyone.
Each to their own (do what you want in private) but i don't agree with shoving it into the faces of kids.

Looks like ill have to look into home schooling.

yeh, in no way do i have anything against my son knowing about these sort of relationships, i wouldnt really want books shoved in his face when he is still learning other more important things, and learning to deal with life in general. In Secondary school i would understand it more as the kids are discovering their sexuality and relationships and it would be more appropriate there.

 

[Ebony_Mommy]

Its not cramming it down their throats though. Like I said before gay couples are more socially acceptable and there are couples in tv, in films etc not being a big deal but just there. Thats how I see these books, they are there to show children that being gay is normal, not look at this gay couple!!!! Kids are more accepting and will just see it as another type of relationship. Also children who are gay and having difficulties coming to terms with their sexualities may feel more a part of society and not so isolated

I can't find the story anywhere, has anyone got a link?

I saw it on Wright Stuff This morning

http://www.five.tv/programmes/thewrightstuff/

this is all i see on the website:

part 2:
GAY BOOKS FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS
Gay books for five-year-olds. From next year junior school pupils will be given a range of new books to study. What will they learn from these texts? I can tell you. They’re gonna learn that some men live with other men, and some kids have two mums, that there’s nothing wrong in fellas wearing women’s clothes. It’s a far cry from jack and jill. Is this what you want your five-year-old to learn in school - your calls in a few mintues.

 

[beanie]

thank you

 

[budge]

part 2:
GAY BOOKS FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS
Gay books for five-year-olds. From next year junior school pupils will be given a range of new books to study. What will they learn from these texts? I can tell you. They’re gonna learn that some men live with other men, and some kids have two mums, that there’s nothing wrong in fellas wearing women’s clothes. It’s a far cry from jack and jill. Is this what you want your five-year-old to learn in school - your calls in a few mintues.


Lord above!

 

[Ebony_Mommy]

 

[Jo]

I voted for it but......

I would not be pleased if whole lessons were set aside for the teaching of homosexuality as at 5 there is no lessons for hetrosexuals

I think all books in schools should include some with
1) single mums
2) single dads
3) children being raised by grandparents
4)mixed race families
5)lesbian/gay couples raising children
6) stay at home mums/dads
7) teenage parants

Probably more but mind has gone blank

I think these should be provided for children to look at in there own time, not studied as that is making it a huge issue.

They need to be in schools as these situations are part of our society now
I have no problem with Emily having acsess to these kinds of books, her dad on the other hand would be furious

Emily knows what it means to be gay and because she asked me and i explained it has never been an issue so to her it is water of a ducks back

Ok have rambled now sorry

 

[Ebony_Mommy]

i think me + my mom are the only 'open' person in my family.

they wouldnt like it one bit ...

we all know about jamaicans and gays

i say no more

 

[Urchin]

Hmmm now it's saying 5 year olds but Mason is 5 and is in INFANTS school not juniors.

I just googled and "junior" is aged 7-11.

 

[lauramumof2]

It wouldnt bother me.

 

[Dee1985]

god NO my children will not be sitting in that class or reading them books. a will sit down when they reach 12/13 and tell them. not at 7!!! thats plain wrong.
My 5yr old brother still asks me if it hurt when my babies come out my belly button and will i be getting any more medicine of the doctor to get another baby thats what little children should think

but i dont think that gay is "just the norm" its not so i think that if a 5yr old reads that book
they will then be thinking "ok do i like boys or girls"

and thats just not how it should be

 

[lauramumof2]

the books werent going that far though. its not like it was gay pride in the classroom with a term time visits to g.a.y.