AIBU to talk about gay people with year 3s?

[opalfruitblast]

We were talking generally today, when I said that there are more males than females in the world. One child then asked who the extra boys would marry if there were not enough girls. Another child said that boys can marry boys, to which one child went 'urgh!', thus another child saying she didn't understand how people can be against men loving men or women loving women.

I said that, in my eyes, love is love, and it doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. Bear in mind I have a child in my class with two mums, and one with two dads...

Should I even be discussing homosexuality with 7 and 8 year olds? Personally, I think they should know about the different types of people in the world but I can see how some parents might object.

You're a teacher, right?

Errmm don't you think you should be asking your Head of year or Head teacher?

tough bollocks if they do. It;s reality, not opinion, about time they joined the 21st century. Why pander to bigotry?

And they sound remarkably mature for a class of 3 year olds considering any talk of love/kissing/dating etc is normally met with "Bleeuurgh"

YANBU. I've already told my y1 and y2 sons.

"We were talking generally today, when I said that there are more males than females in the world."

How did you qualify that? Just curious.

I think what you said was perfectly reasonable. It's not as though you walked into the classroom and announced that today you were all going to study homosexuality - the topic came up in conversation and you gave an honest answer. As a parent of a 7 year old I'd not complain about what you've said above.

Oh I've just realised they're year 3 and not 3yr olds

Either way you should be asking your superiors at work.

"We were talking generally today, when I said that there are more males than females in the world."

Seems like an odd/unusual discussion to be having with a class of year 3s

I would discuss it with your head teacher and consulting whatever the current govt policy document is.

If you planned and delivered a lesson on homosexuality, yabu, they're too young.

To take charge of a pupil-led discussion in order to challenge homophobia (what you did), yanbu.

I would chat to your line manager if you're worried, especially if it might lead to bullying in the playground

I thought this was Y3, not 3 year olds?

Anyhoo, IMHO no you are not in the least bit U if the topic came up in class. You weren't referring to it in the context of sex (which wouldn't bother me either, as it goes), but as a factual comment about love and relationships.

This is why Section 28 was repealed by the Local Government Act 2003, thankfully. So that teachers can respond to issues that arise in the classroom that reflect the real world.

... because really, it varies from country to country, for a complex mix of often cultural factors. (The sex ratio, that is.)

As far as gay stuff goes, you should be positively neutral.

I have children in year 3 and it wouldn't bother me if it was discussed in class.

you were presented with an opportunity, think you handled it nicely

I don't think I know anyone who would be bothered by a pupil lead conversation and it sounds as though the OP did well in her response.

However, I have no idea why she's asking us instead of her boss/head of year because it doesn't make a difference to the school or their policy what Mumsnet thinks.

Yanbu, especially when you have kids with gay parents in the class - not only was it the only possible response but also it means that quite a few of the kids will know at least one same-sex couple already.

Maybe opalfruit is simply testing it out here before taking it to the Head/ Head of Year for a sense check and to articulate any responses first?

Oh. I meant to say... love your name, opal!

Don't worry about offending nasty homophobes. Nothing wrong at all with talking to kids about homosexuality, it's just another part of life

Mine understand what gay means and the gay people can get married. They are year 3 and what you said wouldn't bother me at all.

'If you planned and delivered a lesson on homosexuality, yabu, they're too young'

Why purple?

What age is old enough?

We don't know if the OP is a teacher...a TA or just a Mother having a few kids over... Either way, yabu....it's not your job. My children are 4 and and know all about homosexuality but that's MY children...other parentss may wish to talk about this themselves...not via you.

Your approach was great. Just had to say well done

Sorry...my children are 4 and 7...

I think it's really sad that in 2012, teachers have to worry about whether or not it's OK to have these conversations, and that it's suggested that they check with their HT or HoY