To be surprised DS knows about sexuality?

[Moisdrol]

I was chatting with DS, 7, earlier this afternoon and we were talking about his friends in school and he mentioned that he thinks his friend is a lesbian because he caught her looking at Millie Bobby Brown on Google images twice. I was quite surprised by this because I or DH have never mentioned anything about sexuality before (not that I have a problem with him knowing about LGBT topics). When I asked him why he thought she might be a lesbian he just said because he thinks she has a crush on Millie Bobby Brown. I never knew about sexuality at 7 so I’m really surprised by his peers knowing about it. I’ve also heard kids in his class using bad language which was shocking to me. Is this common??

I'd be surprised if he hasn't come across it. My DS is in Reception at a Catholic school and he know that one of his pals has two dads.

Honestly older siblings know a lot and tell their younger family who bring it to school. My youngest knows far more than my other 2 ever did. She doesn’t even blink an eye over it anymore.

Yes it’s common
Kids once they’re in school meet others with all sorts of family set ups and are exposed to a million different things including bad language

How can a 7 year old not know about people being gay? Gay characters are in kids’ shoes and books now. They are discussed in schools from early one when discussing the types of families. Of course he knows, but really, he should know it because you read him stories with diverse characters and discuss these things. At that age, you should have discussed this by now and had it just be a part of the world that he accepts as totally normal.

I mean my dc knew what it meant to be gay well before 7. I assume it’s because it’s something we talk about quite openly, but it’s also quite a normal thing and they see different types of relationships in tv and amongst people they know and out and about. I do have to laugh at the Millie Bobby Brown thing though. I’m not sure either of mine would even know who she is so your ds is definitely more plugged into popular culture.

You probably grew up with section 28 prohibiting schools from teaching about LGB relationships.

Schools are now free to teach about same sex relationships in an age appropriate way

There are 2 children in my DSs yr 2 class who have gay parents (that we know of). It really isn't a big deal. I'd be more surprised about the unsupervised googling. I don't think DS has ever seen another child his age someone googling something.

Why are you surprised? Surely he has friends at school with two mums or two dads?

I’m only surprised because I personally did not find out about gay people until I was 10 and when I was in secondary everyone used it as an insult. DS however didn’t seem to be phased by it at all even though he’s never spoken to me about it before. It’s a good thing I think if all of Gen Alpha thinks this way and is not used to make fun of other kids.

My daughter came out at 11, kids today are so much more aware that there are different sexualities. My son grew up knowing from a very young age that girls can love girls etc etc

DD is 7- I told her ages ago about men loving men etc. I was also as open with DS who's 17. It's nothing new.

A lot of people had that experience in school in the 90s and 00s. And earlier. But as we grew up, we parented differently because society has shifted. Which is why I’m so surprised that you haven’t taught him this stuff yourself. Most parents with kids this age have already had these conversations, they watch shows with gay characters and read books with gay characters. It’s an open conversation.

It didn’t used to be. There used to still be a sense of shame about it or, as you said, an insult thing about it in a lot of areas of society. But that’s changed massively. You need to make an effort to ensure your kids are aware of stuff and that it’s all open conversations, so nothing is hidden away.

It's really weird that you've never spoken to him about it before now. I feel like my kids have always been aware that relationships weren't just men and women together.

she doesnt have a crush on her, thats stupid, shes 7

How did a 7 year old see his friend Googling anything, let alone coming to the conclusion that a fellow 7 year is a lesbian for Googling an actress twice?????

You're surprised he knows about "sexuality" or homosexuality? Does he think you and your husband are siblings?

Why are you using sexuality as a synonym for homosexuality?

Did you not have crushes when you were 7??

she means sexuality as in “types of sexuality.” It is perfectly adequate word for the situations. There are different types of sexuality and she is surprised her child knows there are.

I was about this age when I started crushing on girls.

He's 7 and he'll share a playground with kids up to the age of 11, many of whom will have teenage siblings.

You'd be surprised at the things he probably thinks he knows all about.

The world has changed, a lot in the last few decades.

Do you not have anyone gay in your lives? My 5 year old knows her uncle is gay and that he has a boyfriend. I suppose I wouldn't claim she understands the concept of sexuality or crushes but I wouldn't be surprised if she does by 7. It also gets talked about when Strictly is on at the moment! We didn't have those conversations in the 90s as it was still taboo, society has changed v quickly.

I was 7 years old 19 years ago and my peers and I definitely knew about homosexuality at that age. It was never used as an insult either. We all just accepted it, it’s probably wasn’t so much ‘the norm’ as it is now, but it wasn’t a big issue even then.

My dc just know it's normal. People love who they love. They have friends with two mums and friends with two dads. They have gay relatives who they just accept as normal. It's how it should be.

Op when you were 10 there was a law that banned teachers from promoting homosexuality at school so it just wasn't mentioned at all for fear of prosecution