A conundrum for parents

[smac]

I stumbled across this article today on SMH website:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/anger-at-gay-book-for-child-5/2007/02/08/1170524214320.html

In a nutshell, a school in America used books depicting same-sex couples as part of an education process for 5 year olds - without previously informing parents. Some parents are up in arms due to the lack of notice or the fact that it defies their religous beliefs.

It raises an interesting conundrum for all parents - what level is the school required to educate our children? Does it stop at reading, writing, maths, geography etc etc or does it extend to social issues such as homosexuality?

Personally, these are topics we have discussed at home with smac jr (8 years old) on numerous occasions - a combination of his curiosity and exposure to some same-sex couples in our lives meant we felt he needed a better understanding. He coped well, but that is because he was able to ask as many questions as he wanted and revisit the issue later and ask more questions.

I think if a family has strong religous beliefs then they should seek a school that shares those beliefs.

The school could approach these issues, but I would want to know in advance to prepare myself for the onslought that follows at home!

[Punk Rooster]

why should parents with strong religious beliefs be given special consideration?
How about giving these choices to parents with strong beliefs (or any parent in that matter).

Is this the Gay community getting on their soapbox, forcing their beliefs down our throats, or a genuine attempt at broadening young minds (which I don't think is appropriate at the age of 5)???

[Wedgie]

why should parents with strong religious beliefs be given special consideration?
How about giving these choices to parents with strong beliefs (or any parent in that matter).

Is this the Gay community getting on their soapbox, forcing their beliefs down our throats, or a genuine attempt at broadening young minds (which I don't think is appropriate at the age of 5)???

Its got nothing to do with the gay community getting on their soapbox, its about educating children about how some of the community works as they ask questions having an enquisitive mind.
My kids were pretty cool about it, I basically just most men like women and some men like men, its not too hard for an intelligent child to understand.
The gay community had nothing to do with me wanting to educate my children on the matter as opposed to leaving them in the dark or teaching them some non tolerance bullshit, if I'd done that they'd probably end up in a Trailer Park claiming the dole and hating the world.

[MW]

, if I'd done that they'd probably end up in a Trailer Park claiming the dole and hating the world.

...and barracking for Port

[Wedgie]

, if I'd done that they'd probably end up in a Trailer Park claiming the dole and hating the world.

...and barracking for Port

I actually wrote that but took it out thinking it might be a bit rude!
(Plus I know bigots that support several other clubs so it would have been unfair)

[Punk Rooster]

why should parents with strong religious beliefs be given special consideration?
How about giving these choices to parents with strong beliefs (or any parent in that matter).

Is this the Gay community getting on their soapbox, forcing their beliefs down our throats, or a genuine attempt at broadening young minds (which I don't think is appropriate at the age of 5)???

Its got nothing to do with the gay community getting on their soapbox,

I was hypothesizing, not making a statement

its about educating children about how some of the community works as they ask questions having an enquisitive mind.
My kids were pretty cool about it, I basically just most men like women and some men like men, its not too hard for an intelligent child to understand.
The gay community had nothing to do with me wanting to educate my children on the matter as opposed to leaving them in the dark or teaching them some non tolerance bullshit, if I'd done that they'd probably end up in a Trailer Park claiming the dole and hating the world.

I don't disagree with what you say Wedgie.
All I'm saying is leave it up to the individual parent to decide if/when the time is right, not have the Education Department deciding kids "need to know" with their mis-guided drivel/propoganda

[Wedgie]

Fair enough then mate, I can't disagree with a lot of what you're saying, I suppose the Education Dept is looking at ways of filling in for incompetent parents that don't educate their children on a lot of things.

[heater31]

either way the education system is screwed * some parents would not like their children to learn this stuff due to religion etc. but then you get the hands off type parents who rely on government handouts and the like would rather the education system take care of it. It is these hands off type parents who should be never be allowed to care for children.


Poor form by the school for not informing the parents about the senisitive issues at hand and Smac is right also that these parents with strong beliefs should seek a suitable education environment for their children if possible.

[Wedgie]

Yeah good point about not informing the parents, if anything controversial is to be brought up at our school all parents are kept informed.
Even little things like Xmas celebrations, etc is passed on to parents at our school to give us the chance of taking our kids out of that class or not.
All schools should run like that but I suppose its a grey area where you start and stop to ask for permission, although IMHO homosexuality is pretty clear cut.

[TroyGFC]

Is this the Gay community getting on their soapbox, forcing their beliefs down our throats, or a genuine attempt at broadening young

***
I certainly hope not!!

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

Is this the Gay community getting on their soapbox, forcing their beliefs down our throats

As long as that's the ONLY thing they're forcing down our throats!

[Wedgie]

Im also concenred about the Bay community.

Should I try to explain to my kids why these people exist or should I leave it up to the Education Department?

Im not sure I have the skills to explain as I can't see one possible reason why someone would be apart of the Bay community!

[Snaggletooth Tiger]

BAY RIGHTS FOREVER!!!!
Don't be such a Tigerphobe!

We gotta drop THAT word (which used to mean 'Happy')
from the lyrics to 'A Tiger For Me'

[Punk Rooster]

BAY RIGHTS FOREVER!!!!
Don't be such a Tigerphobe!

We gotta drop THAT word (which used to mean 'Happy')
from the lyrics to 'A Tiger For Me'

no, it sums up your club perfectly!

[am Bays]

BAY RIGHTS FOREVER!!!!
Don't be such a Tigerphobe!

We gotta drop THAT word (which used to mean 'Happy')
from the lyrics to 'A Tiger For Me'

We did yonks ago "dashing all day" was inserted every time we sang it after a win when i was involved as a trainer

[PhilG]

..

[Wedgie]

My view is that sort of stuff should start at Year 5,

Dude, welcome to 30 years ago.

[PhilG]

..

[Wedgie]

Well, Wedgie? Since when could five year olds cope with this sort of stuff? This is one thing that works now as well as it did thirty years ago in my view.

Why should we stop young kids from having fun? Whatever happened to good old fashioned imagination?

I never mentioned 5 year olds nor did I mention stop young kids from having fun nor good old fashioned imagination.
You do realise kids turn 11 in year 5 these days?
That's 5yo X 2 +1.

Can I ask you a question Phil?
Are you a parent? (Im assuming not because you sure as hell sound you have no idea if you're getting 5yos and Year 5s mixed up as there's a hell of lot in between that happens and only a parent would understand where kids are at these days, if I or other parents had your attitude our kids would learn stuff from their friends (or enemies) in the schoolyard, hardly an ideal situation)

[Punk Rooster]

You do realise kids turn 11 in year 5 these days?

Rubbish.
Kids turn 10.
11- Year 6
12- Year 7 etc