I can’t remember a time when homosexuality wasn’t a hot-button issue, especially when it comes to education. Let me just say that i grew up in the christian school system and always balked at the messages about how being gay was bad or wrong. However, being a christian school they have the right to say this. But what do public schools have the right to say, what do they have the right not to say? Most of the concern is coming from parents who don’t want their children exposed to this, but are we so naive to belive that we aren’t teaching some gay students?
Some parents from Massachusettes recently filed a lawsuit against schoos for teaching about gay issues in their children’s classes.
“The parents who filed the lawsuit, Tonia and David Parker of Lexington, sued after their 5-year-old son brought home a book from kindergarten that depicted a gay family. Another Lexington couple joined the lawsuit after a second-grade teacher read a class a fairy tale about two princes falling in love. ” (associated press, feb 24, 2007)
How young is too young for kids to learn about this stuff? Homosexual students should definitely be considered a minority (whether by power or numbers), so shouldn’t we be concerned with helping their voices to be heard? It would never be questioned if a teacher made students read an African American fairly tale, so why this? Well, there are obviously a lot of reasons that people give. But, my main concern is with the self-image of homosexual students. I think the teacher was right in what he was trying to do. If these students are never given an example of their lives in class, what will they think about it? Will they grow up to think of themselves as abnormal freaks? And what is the fear that parents have? Do they think that if their children learn about these things they will become gay?
“A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by parents who wanted to keep their young children from learning about same-sex marriage in school. ” (associated press, feb 24, 2007)
“Massachusetts: Gay topic and schools”
NY Times: Associated Press- Feb 24, 2007
Ok, so I’m going to go ahead and admit that I laughed when I read that a teacher read a book about two princes falling in love, but I do agree with what you’ve said. Homosexuality is a minority and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, this is one minority that America seems to be extremely reluctant in allowing to be heard. First we dealt with slavery, then women’s rights, then segregation, the next logical thing to tackle in my mind is homophobia. I believe this will continue to be a hot topic for years to come and hopefully someday the general public will let up and let their voices be heard. I predict that this won’t come until we have a female, or at least a non-white president…but that’s just me.
[...] http://hannah8.wordpress.com/2007/03/02/gay-schools/ [...]
How young is too young to try and explain what being gay or lesbian is. I think in the case of the parents suing the school that 5 years old may be to young. I understand that this is something that they don’t want their child to know about and eventually they will learn what it is to be gay/lesbian but I think I would have been kind of upset to find my 5 year old coming home with a book about a gay couple. I think that at some point the child will need to be exposed to certain issues but will a 5 year old even understand? Then again maybe a 5 year old would be more accepting to the issue than a 13 year old? I’m not really sure. As far as filing a lawsuit I don’t think I would go that far. I don’t understand why parents instead of addressing the teacher with the issue go straight to the law for help. I think that maybe if they talked to the teachers first they might have been able to work something out to where their child wasn’t exposed to the issue at that time.
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Hannah,
Well i agree with your analysis of this issue. The inequality of different sexualities in this nation is appalling. In this particular example, i would have to say that once a child knows who their parents are, they would be ready to be exposed to a homosexual couple. I dont think you could start to early with this one. The only way that we as a society seem to be able to deal with this issue is by either ignoring it or by condemning it. Neither of these is the correct way to proceed. We as a society need to embrace our fellow citizens and be accepting. Isnt that what this nation is about? “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
-Adam
[...] “Gay Schools” [...]
Hannah,
I like the fact that you are discussing this topic. I have to admit that just a few years ago, I would have disagreed with you. Before coming to college I heard “horror” stories of methods teachers instructing future teachers to read such literature in elementary schools. I was shocked that future elementary teachers would be forced to teach such “sexually perverted” morals to young children. My “Christian” mentors advised me to go to a “Christian” school so that I wouldn’t be influenced in such a way as teaching children to be tolerant of homosexuality.
Somehow I managed to hold to this indoctrination in spite of the fact that half of my friends in high school were homosexual. I did so thinking that it made sense. As I voted two years ago for same sex marriage to be illegal, I asked myself “what right do I have to tell them they can’t get married?” but I continued to vote as my Church and my family was telling me to.
There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t regret my previous perspective. I think that the only reason why people cannot treat homosexuals equally by allowing them equal rights, and an equal voice, is because they are scared to go against indoctrination and tradition. It is simply wrong to deny a minority the same rights as a majority. I completely agree with your perspective, and I only wish that I had freed myself to act upon this perspective sooner. My friends from high school did appreciate the appology, and the change of heart.
Bethany
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