My brother, and my sister are "gay". Still amazes me how 2 turned out straight and 2 gay, but oh well. Anyway, in their eyes they were born that way. They don't believe that anyone made them the way they are, but it was there from the moment they were concieved.
Although I can't imagine them ever having children, the discussion has come up a few times. My sister's take on it is that the child would be told they are "roomies" until they were old enough to understand. My brother's take is that the child should know from the beginning. He's the type of person that puts it out there regardless of how much you like it. He doesn't believe in lieing to his family even if it might be for their own good.
As a mother of 3 teenagers, my kids have known about my siblings from the very beginning. And if I myself were gay, I would want them to know. There are several reasons for this, and some might not agree with it, but everyone has their own opinions.
When your kids are in school, especially elementary, there are TONS of performances, plays and school functions. Now, certainly most kids know the word "gay" from the time they are in kindergarden. They may not understand what it means, but they won't hesitate to call another student gay or a fag. Now, at these functions, normally you would see the mother and father, but in a gay relationship, you will see mother and mother, or dad and dad. Eventually, other kids and teachers will ask questions. Then the child has to explain why both parents are of the same sex. Should they not understand it in order to explain it? I think they would be picked on more if they didn't understand. I mean how can you explain something you don't understand? Let's face it, kids can be cruel to one another and if the child isn't armed with knowledge he's just a sitting duck for ridicule.
Sex ed has always been a part of school curriculum . First, in high school you had to take it. They thought wow, there are an aweful lot of middle school kids getting pregnant. So, they added it to middle school curriculum. Now, it's part of the elementary school curriculum. Yes, my kids had to take it in 5th grade. Now, this same child goes to sex ed and they teach about the male and female reproduction process. This kid figures out something is definately wrong there because there isn't a female/male situation at home, and starts wondering why. He then raises his hand and asks the teacher. Now this "unarmed" child has opened himself up to the teasing and rdicule.
Now, if schools were to teach about gay relationships at the same time that they taught hetrosexual relations, perhaps there wouldn't be an issue. But, our schools would much rather not address that and leave it to the parents. Now, the parents get blamed for not teaching them, and they get blamed if they do?????
Also, I wonder if that same 7 year old asked his friend about his mom and mom, and the kid explain what being hetrosexual was, would his friend then be in trouble???
12-05-2003
Hybrid Mode
