Teaching kids about homosexuality

[Boommin]

Why would they need to learn about homosexual relations?

People don't usually discover they are gay until they are in their teenage years and by then they know everything they need to know.

COMPLETELY incorrect. For starters, no-one I don't believe is talking about homosexual "relations" ie. sex. Secondly, most kids have same-sex thoughts. There are gay/lesbian teens. They need guidance too. They need support, and they need help to get them through the discovery of their sexuality as well. People aren't fully developed sexually in their teen years. They are still learning. Gay/lesbian kids deserve the same RESPECT as heterosexual kids in understanding their feelings and being led on the right path.

Well If homosexuals are getting a support group I guess heterosexuals need one too. Since you know they are not being taught that its right either. Just because sex education has the word sex in it doesn't mean its talking about sex. What school do you know of that teaches anything more then reproduction?

The school I went to didn't teach just reproduction. I learned about STDs. I learned about divorce, and the things revolving around being a family, and also about why being sexually exclusive in a relationship is the best thing to do. And I even learned that some people are not straight.

If others learned what I did during their youth, the ignorance level in the world would definitely be decreased.

P.S. Sex=sex. Reproduction=reproduction.

So you were taught reproduction, marriage, and STDS. Where was the different ways to have sex? Oh.. There wasn't? Okay.
Idk maybe we should just mention all the different forms of sex they can do! Beastility, homosexuality, pedophiles /sarcasm PS. Dont judge bro They were born that way.

 

[101flyboy]

Yes, they should absolutely be informed of both at the same time.
The way I see it, what's the fucking difference?

Its not like giving them information about something will make them more interested in it.
However, it has been proven over and over and over time after time after fucking time that withholding information makes something more interesting to people. We want to know why we're not being told something. Don't make a big deal out of this kind of thing, because it isn't a big deal.

And I'm sorry to OP, but your sister sounds like a bigot to me if she's trying to set heterosexuality up as the "norm". Because that is exactly what all of the bigots do, regardless of what they are prejudiced against: they set their own situation up as the "norm" and devalue everything else or at least whatever they deem to be the "opposite" or "abnormal".

This all stems from how I view the issue as a whole: it doesn't matter if sexuality is biology or if its a choice; neither case is a valid reason to deny someone their human rights.
And encouraging ignorance in children is a step towards encouraging bigotry and hatred in children.

But thats the point, isnt it? It all stems from how YOU view the issue. Which is fine, everyone has opinions. But his sister doesnt view it the same way, nor do I. How does that make it right to call us bigots? No, you didnt call me a bigot directly, but a blanket statement like that certainly includes me.

That all depends. Why do you view homosexuality with a negative connotation, personally?

I simply do not believe it is right, personally. However, I wouldnt treat anyone any differently because of it, just like I wouldnt treat anyone differently because of their skin color, or political differences, etc. etc. As per my earlier post, I believe in treating others how you want to be treated, and do so.

I understand that, but your justification is still one of irrationality. Why do you not believe it is right? What makes it "wrong"? What qualifications do you have to decide whether or not an individuals sexuality is "right" or "wrong"?

Also, opinions on this subject can be wrong. If you find homosexuality is wrong just.. because, then your opinion is quite frankly worthless. If you have a reasonable justification for why you would think so otherwise, then please do share.

Simply put, I was raised in a strongly christian home. So my beliefs are that its wrong. You live in your world, with your beliefs, and I live in mine. My children, that my wife and I are raising, feeding, loving, and caring for, are OUR children, and are being raised in our world. I will not teach them that it is wrong, I will let them make that decision on their own. However, I will teach them to treat people with respect, and I will teach them about sex when the time comes.

My children will be raised believing in the bible. My children will be raised to believe in God. My children will be raised to treat other people with respect. My children will be raised to respect the American Flag. They go to a school where they still say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. This is my world, this is how I am raising my children, and I am very happy with that, and very content with that.

Translation: My kids are my personal robots, here to adhere to my every command and whim.

Oh, and I hope you teach your kids EVERYTHING the Bible teaches. Don't nitpick, now. You know, tell your daughter, she will be submitting to men. Make sure she understands that's her job. Also make sure your son realizes that working on the Sabbath is a major no-no. If he ever does, you kick him out of the family, you hear!

 

[101flyboy]

Love can also occur between a man and an animal, or a woman and an animal, or a man, a woman, an alien and an animal. It's also possible that you have a desire to express your love using cream, other food, whips, poo, tinfoil, handcuffs, rapelay, domination etc. You are free to express your love in any way possible........

Yeah this sounds beautiful...

We teach kids in our society about social norms, we dont tell them about every freakin possibility there is with everything.

Comparing fictional love scenarios between aliens and humans with homosexual relationships just goes to show how badly in touch with the current reality you are.

Homosexuality BELONG to social norms in pretty much the entire western world and if a parent expect their kid to go through life never noticing that it exists or even meet a gay person then that parent lives in a fantasyworld disconnected from the real one. In the same way yours is when you try to portay it as something so uncommon as a person in love with an alien...

Well apparently it doesn't belong to our social norms yet, otherwise we wouldnt be having this discussion now would we?

It does belong to our social norms, I don't see how you came to the decision that it doesn't.

I would say that a social norm only exist when, lets say, 90% of people in a society agree that deviation of the norm is an actionable offense, to be rectified by the state, social pressure, whatever. I think it's pretty obvious that there isnt a country in the world that considers acceptance of homosexuality as part of the social norm (according to this definition).

Hell, in most of the western world (assuming we only discuss the western world here), same-sex marriage isnt even allowed. That means that the majority of the population in those countries doesnt want the same legal status for homosexual relations and before you even consider homosexuality to be included in the social norm I think it might be prudent to make it fucking legal first.

By that definition I'd argue that it's the social norm in England at least, and that's the way it should be. If homosexuality isn't a social norm in a particular location then it should be, because it's a large issue in many peoples lives that can't be controlled and I think everyone should be taught to accept it.

Joehoe, read before you post. According to the definition it isnt a social norm in the UK (which i assume you mean), vindicated by the fact that there isnt even same-sex marriage in the UK yet, which only needs 50% of the population's support vs the social norm which requires 90%. Holy hell...[/quote]


According to reality your definition of social normality is wrong and you trying to say "well the laws say it's not a social norm" is ignorance at it's finest.

 

[101flyboy]

Why would they need to learn about homosexual relations?

People don't usually discover they are gay until they are in their teenage years and by then they know everything they need to know.

COMPLETELY incorrect. For starters, no-one I don't believe is talking about homosexual "relations" ie. sex. Secondly, most kids have same-sex thoughts. There are gay/lesbian teens. They need guidance too. They need support, and they need help to get them through the discovery of their sexuality as well. People aren't fully developed sexually in their teen years. They are still learning. Gay/lesbian kids deserve the same RESPECT as heterosexual kids in understanding their feelings and being led on the right path.

Well If homosexuals are getting a support group I guess heterosexuals need one too. Since you know they are not being taught that its right either. Just because sex education has the word sex in it doesn't mean its talking about sex. What school do you know of that teaches anything more then reproduction?

The school I went to didn't teach just reproduction. I learned about STDs. I learned about divorce, and the things revolving around being a family, and also about why being sexually exclusive in a relationship is the best thing to do. And I even learned that some people are not straight.

If others learned what I did during their youth, the ignorance level in the world would definitely be decreased.

P.S. Sex=sex. Reproduction=reproduction.

So you were taught reproduction, marriage, and STDS. Where was the different ways to have sex? Oh.. There wasn't? Okay.
Idk maybe we should just mention all the different forms of sex they can do! Beastility, homosexuality, pedophiles /sarcasm PS. Dont judge bro They were born that way.

I wish you were funny.

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

No, I do not. I don't think homosexuality should be encouraged, unless it actually comes from the child itself, with as little as external influence as possible.

...or the kid might catch the gay?

You would be amazed how many people think they have a sexuality they indeed have not (at least that's what I firmly believe). I laugh at people under 18 who claim to be homosexual, as it's more often than not insecurity.

That I can agree with. Lots of 'bisexual' kids running around because it's the cool thing to be this week. My point was just that in my oppinion, information is important when building tolerance. If she doesn't know about gays, they'll always be strange and different. Teach a kid from the start that people are different and like different things, and maybe the social stigma will eventually go away.

trust me when I say that it is not cool to be homosexual. It might be within certain clicks of teenagers but in the big picture it is generally looked down upon. At my work we have two open gay males and they are not publicly ridiculed but when they arnt around comments are made about there sexuality from the majority of people that I work with.

 

[Boommin]

Yes, they should absolutely be informed of both at the same time.
The way I see it, what's the fucking difference?

Its not like giving them information about something will make them more interested in it.
However, it has been proven over and over and over time after time after fucking time that withholding information makes something more interesting to people. We want to know why we're not being told something. Don't make a big deal out of this kind of thing, because it isn't a big deal.

And I'm sorry to OP, but your sister sounds like a bigot to me if she's trying to set heterosexuality up as the "norm". Because that is exactly what all of the bigots do, regardless of what they are prejudiced against: they set their own situation up as the "norm" and devalue everything else or at least whatever they deem to be the "opposite" or "abnormal".

This all stems from how I view the issue as a whole: it doesn't matter if sexuality is biology or if its a choice; neither case is a valid reason to deny someone their human rights.
And encouraging ignorance in children is a step towards encouraging bigotry and hatred in children.

But thats the point, isnt it? It all stems from how YOU view the issue. Which is fine, everyone has opinions. But his sister doesnt view it the same way, nor do I. How does that make it right to call us bigots? No, you didnt call me a bigot directly, but a blanket statement like that certainly includes me.

That all depends. Why do you view homosexuality with a negative connotation, personally?

I simply do not believe it is right, personally. However, I wouldnt treat anyone any differently because of it, just like I wouldnt treat anyone differently because of their skin color, or political differences, etc. etc. As per my earlier post, I believe in treating others how you want to be treated, and do so.

I understand that, but your justification is still one of irrationality. Why do you not believe it is right? What makes it "wrong"? What qualifications do you have to decide whether or not an individuals sexuality is "right" or "wrong"?

Also, opinions on this subject can be wrong. If you find homosexuality is wrong just.. because, then your opinion is quite frankly worthless. If you have a reasonable justification for why you would think so otherwise, then please do share.

Simply put, I was raised in a strongly christian home. So my beliefs are that its wrong. You live in your world, with your beliefs, and I live in mine. My children, that my wife and I are raising, feeding, loving, and caring for, are OUR children, and are being raised in our world. I will not teach them that it is wrong, I will let them make that decision on their own. However, I will teach them to treat people with respect, and I will teach them about sex when the time comes.

My children will be raised believing in the bible. My children will be raised to believe in God. My children will be raised to treat other people with respect. My children will be raised to respect the American Flag. They go to a school where they still say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. This is my world, this is how I am raising my children, and I am very happy with that, and very content with that.

Translation: My kids are my personal robots, here to adhere to my every command and whim.

Oh, and I hope you teach your kids EVERYTHING the Bible teaches. Don't nitpick, now. You know, tell your daughter, she will be submitting to men. Make sure she understands that's her job. Also make sure your son realizes that working on the Sabbath is a major no-no. If he ever does, you kick him out of the family, you hear!

The Bible teaches that the women should submit to the husband but the husband must love his wife. Meaning it equals out Bro. Working on the sabbath is an old Jewish law that the sermon on the mount destroyed. Gotta keep it holy thou.

 

[CatmanStu]

Talking as a male who has gone through the whole sexual identity self diagnostic dilemma I can speak from my own experience on this subject.
Sex had ALWAYS been taught being closely linked with procreation so the idea of doing it scared the living shit out of me, but I still had the hormones kicking off and couldn't ignore them. With my libido arriving before my ability to notice girls I took the only option I had available, I fooled around with a male classmate (after school obviously). If I had been taught about homosexuality before this I would have gone through life thinking I was gay, when in fact all I was doing was reacting to hormones and curiosity.
I think what I am trying to say is that, in my opinion, sex and orientation are not linked at the hip: sex is how you become intimate with another person, orientation is societies way of categorising who you choose to do it with.

"I don't give a fuck who you choose to fuck, as long as you give a fuck for whoever you chose." would be my lesson to my (hypothetical) kid.

You make some decent points, but if you're being taught correctly, the confusion aspect wouldn't come into play. But, because you were taught solely that sex was for procreation, it led you to being with another boy. That's actually why sex in GENERAL needs to be discussed, and obviously that some men like men, some women like women, you will grow up realizing, oh, I don't like men, I like women. Instead you were confused, which could have been avoided.

I agree with your point about sex being discussed in a general context, but what I was getting at is, in this day and age with pornography so easily available sex education should concentrate on the psychological and emotional aspect rather than appendage A goes into appendage B and this is what biologically happens next. Also I think using the word confused for kids that experiment in school comes off as a little patronising (not a dig at you, just my thoughts on a common term), I can't speak for others that have been in/are in that situation but I personally wasn't confused. I was doing something enjoyable with a friend who found it enjoyable; it was only when the question of orientation arose (after I found out about homosexuality) that the confusion set in, as it seemed that society was saying that I had made my choice and I wasn't allowed to fancy girls. I have no problem with a broad spectrum of sexual education, I have a problem with pigeon-holing something that is unique to every person.

 

[Boommin]

Why would they need to learn about homosexual relations?

People don't usually discover they are gay until they are in their teenage years and by then they know everything they need to know.

COMPLETELY incorrect. For starters, no-one I don't believe is talking about homosexual "relations" ie. sex. Secondly, most kids have same-sex thoughts. There are gay/lesbian teens. They need guidance too. They need support, and they need help to get them through the discovery of their sexuality as well. People aren't fully developed sexually in their teen years. They are still learning. Gay/lesbian kids deserve the same RESPECT as heterosexual kids in understanding their feelings and being led on the right path.

Well If homosexuals are getting a support group I guess heterosexuals need one too. Since you know they are not being taught that its right either. Just because sex education has the word sex in it doesn't mean its talking about sex. What school do you know of that teaches anything more then reproduction?

The school I went to didn't teach just reproduction. I learned about STDs. I learned about divorce, and the things revolving around being a family, and also about why being sexually exclusive in a relationship is the best thing to do. And I even learned that some people are not straight.

If others learned what I did during their youth, the ignorance level in the world would definitely be decreased.

P.S. Sex=sex. Reproduction=reproduction.

So you were taught reproduction, marriage, and STDS. Where was the different ways to have sex? Oh.. There wasn't? Okay.
Idk maybe we should just mention all the different forms of sex they can do! Beastility, homosexuality, pedophiles /sarcasm PS. Dont judge bro They were born that way.

I wish you were funny.

I try

 

[lovest harding]

It depends on what "the birds and the bees" is covering. If the step-daughter is learning about procreation, then heretosexual relationships are probably the only thing that needs to be covered; IVF and adoption are superfluous at this stage.
On the other hand, if she's learning about interpersonal romantic relationships, I think the best idea is to use ambiguous gender pronouns - e.g. "When two people love each other," rather than "When a man and a woman love each other". It's not like the kid is going to catch teh_gehy just by being aware of homosexuality, and if she does turn out to be gay, it's certainly a load off her mind.

Beautifully said. I give this my ditto.

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

There is absolutely no rational justification for avoiding discussion of homosexuality if you're discussing heterosexuality. Children aren't going to be "confused" (unless you go out of your way to make it confusing) and evidence suggests that it's not going to affect their sexuality. Though really, even if it did, why should that matter?

The continuing rhetoric that being gay is only okay because gay people have no choice (the genetic argument) has always seemed pretty fucked up to me. Can't we just say "being gay is okay"? Most people don't go around qualifying their racial tolerance by saying "You know, it's okay that you're black, I know you can't help it."

If you're teaching your kids about sexuality (or romance), just present all sides of it. Some boys like girls, a smaller number of boys like boys, opposite goes for girls. Transgender stuff might be best saved for a bit later as children typically already have a fairly strong understanding of gender and issues involving gender can get legitimately confusing (even to adults). Still might be worth bringing up gently. If you're deep enough into it to be explaining how procreation works, suck it up and explain that gay people have sex too rather than hiding it like some shameful secret. Children aren't upset or confused by having to talk about these things, adults are. You owe it to your children to work past your own issues and explain things to them.

Also, playing catch-up is a terrible idea that assumes you'll know when your kids start having these questions or struggling with these issues. If you never talk to a kid and they never know what you think of these things, how are they supposed to know that what they're thinking is even okay to come to you with? Even the best parent-child relationship in the world is still imperfect (no kid will ever actually assume "you can tell me anything" to be true, which is probably good since it never will be). The whole point of education is to prepare a child, not to debrief them. And that's to say nothing of the safety information you definitely want to impart before they run off and try something and THEN tell you about it.

All of this applies even if you "don't agree" with homosexuality. (As an aside, this is my favourite euphemism ever. Imagine "I don't agree with black people.") Your kids should still know that it exists and what it is. I'm against the use of nuclear weapons, but I'm not about to try to prevent my kids learning about nuclear physics or hide the existence of such weapons from them.

No, I do not. I don't think homosexuality should be encouraged, unless it actually comes from the child itself, with as little as external influence as possible.

...or the kid might catch the gay?

You would be amazed how many people think they have a sexuality they indeed have not (at least that's what I firmly believe). I feel sorry for people under 18 who claim to be homosexual, as it's more often than not insecurity.

You write with an awful lot of conviction for someone who's pulling facts straight out of their ass. Statistically, by mid teens, the overwhelming majority of queer people recognise themselves as such. If anything, they're more likely to pretend to be STRAIGHT out of insecurity. And the notion that a lot of children just go through "phases" where they're "mistaken" is laughably outdated and you would be hard-pressed to find someone who actually studies such things making claims like that.

 

[101flyboy]

No, I do not. I don't think homosexuality should be encouraged, unless it actually comes from the child itself, with as little as external influence as possible.

...or the kid might catch the gay?

You would be amazed how many people think they have a sexuality they indeed have not (at least that's what I firmly believe). I laugh at people under 18 who claim to be homosexual, as it's more often than not insecurity.

That I can agree with. Lots of 'bisexual' kids running around because it's the cool thing to be this week. My point was just that in my oppinion, information is important when building tolerance. If she doesn't know about gays, they'll always be strange and different. Teach a kid from the start that people are different and like different things, and maybe the social stigma will eventually go away.

trust me when I say that it is not cool to be homosexual. It might be within certain clicks of teenagers but in the big picture it is generally looked down upon. At my work we have two open gay males and they are not publicly ridiculed but when they arnt around comments are made about there sexuality from the majority of people that I work with.

This is the whole point, people. You want to keep homophobia strong? Continue shaming any discussion of homosexuality into the closet.

How old are you/where do you live/work profession? Just want an insight on like, the situation, get a visual.

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

Also, our fellow animals in the animal kingdom by far are still in purely heterosexual relationships, unless there's 'gay dolphins' somewhere that I haven't heard of.

Please come back after reading this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animals_displaying_homosexual_behavior

Edit : And yes your friendly neighbourhood dolphin is mentioned among many other animals

awww man ninja'd I was looking for a place to mention blowhole sex I just couldnt find a convenient enough one.

 

[101flyboy]

No. Mostly because its already enough of a thing to have to teach about sex and not have to go into various other types of sex. That's unloading quiet a bit on a young child at once. One thing at a time.

This isn't really about sex in itself specifically. I don't think anyone is saying "this is how you suck a penis." More like, some people are this, some people are this. Gay isn't all about sex.

 

[Olrod]

Joehoe, read before you post. According to the definition it isnt a social norm in the UK (which i assume you mean), vindicated by the fact that there isnt even same-sex marriage in the UK yet, which only needs 50% of the population's support vs the social norm which requires 90%. Holy hell...

Are you sure? I thought the UK did have same-sex marriage?

 

[FaithorFire]

Absolutely not, the most common sexual orientation is by far heterosexuality so THAT is what children should be taught about. If the child asks about or ever expresses homosexual tenancies, then the issues of that should be taught early on. But Homosexuality should not hold an equal place to heterosexuality, even if for no other reason than evolutionary preference.

 

[A Pious Cultist]

But there's a difference between learning about sex and teach kids about sexual orientations. Homosexuality is something for when they're a bit older methinks.

No one is suggesting she start off with "Well some boys like to stick it in other boys' poopers". Simply mentioning that some boys like boys and some girls like girls is perfectly fine.

This "not appropriate yet" makes me think back to reading of parents that were scared of a armless woman appearing on a children's tv show because their children "might be scared" or "wouldnt understand" and, lets face it, because they did not want to answer the question.
"She has no arm, she lost it." and "He likes other boys, some people do." won't cause the kid's head to explode.
They'll take a moment, accept it, then move on with their life. Children are especially prone to just accepting things.

Are you sure? I thought the UK did have same-sex marriage?

"Sort of but not really."

We have a provision called "civil partnerships" which carries the same legal benefits and ramifications as marriage but takes place in a registry and has a different name. I think everyone's glad that gays arnt disadvantaged financially by the law any more but not calling it marriage is very exclusionary still.

I also consider the current term of "life partner" a similar exclusion. Are there any gay or bisexual people here with any reasoning as to why "Husband" isn't used?

 

[Boommin]

There is absolutely no rational justification for avoiding discussion of homosexuality if you're discussing heterosexuality. Children aren't going to be "confused" (unless you go out of your way to make it confusing) and evidence suggests that it's not going to affect their sexuality. Though really, even if it did, why should that matter?

The continuing rhetoric that being gay is only okay because gay people have no choice (the genetic argument) has always seemed pretty fucked up to me. Can't we just say "being gay is okay"? Most people don't go around qualifying their racial tolerance by saying "You know, it's okay that you're black, I know you can't help it."

If you're teaching your kids about sexuality (or romance), just present all sides of it. Some boys like girls, a smaller number of boys like boys, opposite goes for girls. Transgender stuff might be best saved for a bit later as children typically already have a fairly strong understanding of gender and issues involving gender can get legitimately confusing (even to adults). Still might be worth bringing up gently. If you're deep enough into it to be explaining how procreation works, suck it up and explain that gay people have sex too rather than hiding it like some shameful secret. Children aren't upset or confused by having to talk about these things, adults are. You owe it to your children to suck it up and explain things to them.

I agree but school systems in America at least.Don't go into detail except for reproduction and STDS. So its unnecessary unless they go more into detail which they don't.

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

No, I do not. I don't think homosexuality should be encouraged, unless it actually comes from the child itself, with as little as external influence as possible.

...or the kid might catch the gay?

You would be amazed how many people think they have a sexuality they indeed have not (at least that's what I firmly believe). I laugh at people under 18 who claim to be homosexual, as it's more often than not insecurity.

That I can agree with. Lots of 'bisexual' kids running around because it's the cool thing to be this week. My point was just that in my oppinion, information is important when building tolerance. If she doesn't know about gays, they'll always be strange and different. Teach a kid from the start that people are different and like different things, and maybe the social stigma will eventually go away.

trust me when I say that it is not cool to be homosexual. It might be within certain clicks of teenagers but in the big picture it is generally looked down upon. At my work we have two open gay males and they are not publicly ridiculed but when they arnt around comments are made about there sexuality from the majority of people that I work with.

This is the whole point, people. You want to keep homophobia strong? Continue shaming any discussion of homosexuality into the closet.

How old are you/where do you live/work profession? Just want an insight on like, the situation, get a visual.

How am I shaming anything? I dont understand. I will freely admit that I had gay sex on multiple occasions when I was younger.

Im 23 years old, live in missouri, 20 minutes outside of kansas city to get a better picture, i work in a nursing home. The people I was referencing range in age from 17 to 27 with a median age of roughly 21 I would say.

When I was in high school, five years ago Thw group of people I hung around with it was cool to be bisexual, I made out with several guys in this group of people. Outside of this group of people though someone being gay was a reason to fuck with them. As far as ive seen this hasnt changed much in the past few years. I grew up in michigan btw, very small town.

 

[101flyboy]

No, I do not. I don't think homosexuality should be encouraged, unless it actually comes from the child itself, with as little as external influence as possible.

...or the kid might catch the gay?

Someone clearly didn't read the post. What was said was teach the heterosexual way, and if the child finds out if they are gay, or ask about homosexuality, then that is an appropriate time to explain it.
OT: I agree with Hairminator, don't tell them about it until either they are gay, or they ask about it.

Teaching "the heterosexual way" is a bullshit way of putting it. There is no heterosexual way. There is sexuality, sexual orientation, so on and so forth, which includes heterosexuality and the factors of heterosexuality, and same with homosexuality.

Not everyone, in fact most kids, are not 100% straight. Teaching kids that heterosexuality is the ONLY option is doing a disservice. Hiding it and basically avoiding teaching about it creates stigma and creates ignorance. And it's not necessary.

 

[Boommin]

No, I do not. I don't think homosexuality should be encouraged, unless it actually comes from the child itself, with as little as external influence as possible.

...or the kid might catch the gay?

Someone clearly didn't read the post. What was said was teach the heterosexual way, and if the child finds out if they are gay, or ask about homosexuality, then that is an appropriate time to explain it.
OT: I agree with Hairminator, don't tell them about it until either they are gay, or they ask about it.

Teaching "the heterosexual way" is a bullshit way of putting it. There is no heterosexual way. There is sexuality, sexual orientation, so on and so forth, which includes heterosexuality and the factors of heterosexuality, and same with homosexuality.

Not everyone, in fact most kids, are not 100% straight. Teaching kids that heterosexuality is the ONLY option is doing a disservice. Hiding it and basically avoiding teaching about it creates stigma and creates ignorance. And it's not necessary.

No one is teaching them heterosexuality good lord. They teach them mainly on reproduction and STDS. Good lord you just want a class which teaches different sexual orientations or to be added to the basic format of Sex Ed class in America. Make sure you include them all thou