Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Promotion of homosexuality in schools

205 replies

tectime · 04/03/2012 10:24

Hi

I have children in junior school, and one is due to undertake a sex education class (too young in my opinion), but I am concerned if the subject of homosexualty is broached. Is this broached in senior schools, or does it happen in junior schools too.

OP posts:
TheMonster · 04/03/2012 10:28

What exactly are you worried about?

lambethlil · 04/03/2012 10:29

Why are you worried?
Ask to see the curriculum if you feel you must, but I think you need to educate yourself have your own ideas sorted first.

edam · 04/03/2012 10:31

ds is in Yr 4 and I've never heard of school 'promoting homosexuality' whatever that means. 'Hello children, today we are going to talk about being gay. Wouldn't you like to be gay?'

It isn't catching, you know.

SoupDragon · 04/03/2012 10:32

I don't think homosexuality is "promoted" in the junior school sex education. My DSs aren't here so I can't ask them. I imagine it may be mentioned in passing.

Our school offered parents the chance to go and watch the film and/or borrow the DVD before giving their consent to the lessons.

I really can't see what you have to be worried about though.

ItWasThePenguins · 04/03/2012 10:36

When I was in yr6 we had sex ed, but it was just very basic ins and outs of adolescence at that stage, so they know what they are expecting to go through over next few years. I remember at our school they had an evening thing for the parents to go in first and 'do the lesson' so then they could ask for child to be excused if not appropriate. This was 10 years ago, but hope it helps.

kilmuir · 04/03/2012 10:36

Its not promotion its called education, facts etc

DialMforMummy · 04/03/2012 10:54

Some children have gay parents. You can either ignore that fact or address it. Saying that people are gay is not going to make your child gay.
You can always ask the school and ask yourself why you are worried.
In secondary, we talk about it but we have to be cautious not to be seen to precisely "promote it". Pathetic if you ask me.
It is not a lifestyle choice IMHO.

SayBoo · 04/03/2012 10:57

What are you scared of? They can't 'turn your child gay' by talking about homosexuality, you know Hmm

In my DC's school, homosexuality is broached in a spirit of acceptance. It is explained that some people have same sex relationships and that is OK. I can't imagine wanting anything else for my children. I hear stories of how it is handled at our local RC school and I am horrified.

Original poster
tectime · 04/03/2012 10:57

Firstly, I believe sex education should be about reproduction and that it needs to be taught sometime in early senior school. But, I am uncomfortable homosexuality with being taught at any school. Post 16 when children leave school, they can make their own choices, but it is not something to be channeled in school

OP posts:
tethersend · 04/03/2012 10:58

I think in most schools, it's buy one get one free on homosexuality at the moment.

HTH.

SoupDragon · 04/03/2012 11:01

You do realise that sex isn't all about reproduction don't you?

SayBoo · 04/03/2012 11:02

Talking only about reproduction went out in the 60s, gladly.

It is crucial that children are taught about the emotions around sex and that sex is part and parcel of adult relationships, which can include same sex relationships. Teaching reproduction in a little box on its own is useless.

if you don't like it, you can withdraw your child from the lessons and teach them sex ed yourself. You have the right to do so. But if you are thinking of leaving it until you are sixteen, I think you are very naive.

SayBoo · 04/03/2012 11:03

until they are sixteen, obv

RitaMorgan · 04/03/2012 11:03

Grin at "teaching homosexuality".

This is how you do it class. It's great to be gay - all the cool kids are doing it!

Maybe it's a new initiative to reduce teen pregnancy rates?

ravenAK · 04/03/2012 11:04

Indeed tethersend. In fact, my year 7 tutor group are obliged to sing 'Glad to be Gay' every morning, & we've adopted green carnations as our new blazer badge.

DialMforMummy · 04/03/2012 11:06

I am uncomfortable homosexuality with being taught at any school.
But you do not teach homosexuality, how could you?
You merely say, some people are in same sex relationships, you don't have to go into the nitty gritty of what they actually do anyway!
And FWIW, most gay people I know, knew way before 16 that they were gay and it was not a choice. I think that is where you are wrong, being gay is not a choice. Ask some gay people if you know any (somehow I doubt that)

IAmBooyhoo · 04/03/2012 11:08

"I believe sex education should be about reproduction "

have you only ever had sex in order to reproduce? dont you ever do it for fun?

also, lots of children know before they are 16 that they are gay/lesbian/bisexual, surely it is better for them to know what that means for them than having to be in a state of confusion til they leave school. also, many children/teens get bullied because of their sexuality surely it is better that all children are taught that being gay is totally normal and nothing to be ashamed of so that when their friends tell them they are gay they are able to accept them and support them instead of turning into ignorant bullies.

TinkerSailerSoldierSpy · 04/03/2012 11:08

Why would you be uncomfortable tectime? You really think that teenagers aren't going to know about gays? snigger Everyone at my old school knew about it, everyone at the school before that (junior) knew about it! They're going to find out one way or another, and would you rather have them hearing a garbled, prejudice version from their friends, that promotes it as a bad thing, or a clear organised explanation that explains it should be accepted and it's absoulutly fine to be gay, from a responsible trained adult? Hmm

QED · 04/03/2012 11:12

OP, my DC are 8 and 6 and both know that some men are in love with men, some men are in love with women and some women are in love with women. It's hardly some big thing to be kept secret until they are 16 Hmm

Tintingal · 04/03/2012 11:15

You can't promote or learn homosexuality....most gay people have heterosexual parents, after all. God forbid we have any more gay teens killing themselves because they are taunted and bullied by classmates. Homosexuality is a fact of life, and keeping it "quiet" until your children are 16 will only breed fear and ignorance, educate kids, start early, and they won't waste much time thinking about it.

AnnieLobeseder · 04/03/2012 11:18

Homophobic much, OP? Why on earth do you think schools 'promote' omosexuality? And how would knowing that homosexuality exists make your children more likely to be gay (if you think that's a bad thing)? Knowing that Chinese people exists doesn't make you Chinese. Homosexuality is a biological condition, like being male or female, black or Asian. It's not something you catch or randomly decide to be after hearing about it. You sound very ignorant and bigoted.

alessthandomesticgoddess · 04/03/2012 11:22

This thread is making me Hmm.

You cannot teach homosexuality.
It's a good thing for children to know about homosexuality.
It's not a secret.
Withdraw your child and make them the wonder of the class for the reasons if you must.

CupOfBrownJoy · 04/03/2012 11:22

pmsl @ "teaching" homosexuality in schools Grin

OP you sound like you need to have a little word with yourself....

NarkedPuffin · 04/03/2012 11:23

'I think in most schools, it's buy one get one free on homosexuality at the moment'

Grin Tethersend

I think they give out badges and membership cards too.

cerys74 · 04/03/2012 11:24

Sorry I don't know what is taught or when but am fairly confident that both homosexuality and heterosexuality will be mentioned and neither will be actively promoted! Are you expecting the teacher to put up a list of pros and cons? :) I am being a bit facetious but only 'cos I'm sure the subject will be covered in an age-appropriate manner.

There are plenty of kids these days being raised by same-sex couples, so it's not like the idea will be a complete revelation to everyone in the class anyway. Kids talk!