Alameda may introduce gay issues to schools

[Nagishkaw 510]

Gay BUDDIES of Barry the CRACkwhore and in schools too. Libruls no surprises and with their handsOUT!!!!

It isn't exactly their hands that are out.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

It seems reasonable enough.

But then people here seem to like any excuse to push their outrage buttons. And they don't mind the media doing it for them - the magic rabbit of self righteous indignation.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

And Tango Makes Three is an excellent book!

I think the idea is a good one, but there's a limit as to how much information should be passed on in school at such early ages, IMHO. It would seem more that a sex-ed class might be the best venue to delve deeper into the subjects. However, I do agree that these things should be introduced to uphold anti-bullying clauses in schools, for example.

wrong

everybody knows that if u tell kids having 2 daddies instead of a mom and a dad is ok, they'll turn gay..

Then you buy your teenager this book...

[alienlovechild 75]

Storybooks, a video and group discussions will be part of a lesson plan introduced in kindergarten.

A public school has no business peddling propaganda on 5 year-olds.

[pedroh 21]

since when tolerance=propaganda?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

since when tolerance=propaganda?

Hatred and intolerance is inbred.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Storybooks, a video and group discussions will be part of a lesson plan introduced in kindergarten.

A public school has no business peddling propaganda on 5 year-olds.

Why is it propaganda?

In terms of simple practicality - if indeed there are students in schools (and there are) who have single parent families, or (heaven forbid!) a same sex family unit - those kids shouldn't be subject to bullying or teasing because kids with a "traditional" family structure don't understand it.

Whatever people think about homosexuality, children shouldn't be forced to pay for the prejudice and judgementalism of others.

Edited May 13, 2009 by Private Pike

[DeadPoolX 9]

Why do elementary school students need to know about adult relationships at all? They're very young kids -- let them be kids!

There's plenty of time later on -- junior high or high school -- for them to learn all about man/woman, man/man, woman/woman pairings. At the age elementary students are at, they won't even fully understand the concepts behind this.

Besides, I see it as wrong to teach these matters to kids in elementary school. Not because I see homosexuality as wrong, but because these kids won't have the mental faculties to make up their own mind. They'll hear whatever their teacher says and automatically believe it. Maybe some here think that's good, but that's essentially indoctrination.

I'd much prefer homosexuality issues were taught later on. Then perhaps students could make a decision on their own.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

since when tolerance=propaganda?

Tolerance is a weird negative word. It implies that while you may not like something, you still have to grin and bear it, even free to complain about it. I may tolerate my spouse's snoring, but it don't mean I like it. After all, we have to tolerate all religions, but that does not stop certain religions from being criticized on a constant basis.

Would acceptance be a more positive word?

Edited May 13, 2009 by Mister_Bill

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why do elementary school students need to know about adult relationships at all? They're very young kids -- let them be kids!

There's plenty of time later on -- junior high or high school -- for them to learn all about man/woman, man/man, woman/woman pairings. At the age elementary students are at, they won't even fully understand the concepts behind this.

Besides, I see it as wrong to teach these matters to kids in elementary school. Not because I see homosexuality as wrong, but because these kids won't have the mental faculties to make up their own mind. They'll hear whatever their teacher says and automatically believe it. Maybe some here think that's good, but that's essentially indoctrination.

I'd much prefer homosexuality issues were taught later on. Then perhaps students could make a decision on their own.

Do you think that kids in elementary schools don't talk about their families/parents?

Introducing these kind of programs into schools is often not because of some secret political agenda, but because the school has noticed problems among the student population arising from these issues.

I would think that bullying someone because their father doesn't live with them ("your daddy doesn't love you, nyah nyah!") doesn't seem implausible to me.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

since when tolerance=propaganda?

Tolerance is a weird negative word. It implies that while you may not like something, you still have to grin and bear it, even free to complain about it. I may tolerate my spouse's snoring, but it don't mean I like it. After all, we have to tolerate all religions, but that does not stop certain religions from being criticized on a constant basis.

Would acceptance be a more positive word?

Whatever you want to call it - its surely important for schools to address any sources of tension between students over social issues that disrupt the learning environment.

If that involves learning about different types of families to nip bullying in the bud, so be it.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Why do elementary school students need to know about adult relationships at all? They're very young kids -- let them be kids!

There's plenty of time later on -- junior high or high school -- for them to learn all about man/woman, man/man, woman/woman pairings. At the age elementary students are at, they won't even fully understand the concepts behind this.

Besides, I see it as wrong to teach these matters to kids in elementary school. Not because I see homosexuality as wrong, but because these kids won't have the mental faculties to make up their own mind. They'll hear whatever their teacher says and automatically believe it. Maybe some here think that's good, but that's essentially indoctrination.

I'd much prefer homosexuality issues were taught later on. Then perhaps students could make a decision on their own.

Do you think that kids in elementary schools don't talk about their families/parents?

Introducing these kind of programs into schools is often not because of some secret political agenda, but because the school has noticed problems among the student population arising from these issues.

I would think that bullying someone because their father doesn't live with them ("your daddy doesn't love you, nyah nyah!") doesn't seem implausible to me.

Well, I didn't talk about my family. Then again, I had a "classic" family, more or less -- my dad worked and my mom stayed home. Maybe there wasn't a whole lot to talk about. I was also in elementary school during the 1980s, so maybe the situation has changed some.

I still think kids shouldn't be introduced to these ideas, if for no other reason than they simply won't comprehend it all. It makes sense -- both financially and psychologically -- to wait a little.

That said, I know what it's like to be bullied.

[alienlovechild 75]

Why is it propaganda?

It's a push but the local gay community to push their view on 5 year-old kids which little to do with whatever else is taught in kindergarten nowadays. Is there a single reason why that issue needs to pushed so early on kids who can't incorporate it?

There are divorced parents, dead parents, interracial parents, drunken and drug dependent parents, parents in prison . . . maybe they are mentioned too but why the emphasis on a single interest group and nobody notices it as blatant propaganda?

Hatred and intolerance is inbred.

Some is but some is picked up along the way when you had a few bad experiences along the way to confirm some prejudices. No group is completely wonderful or evil but I think a lot of people will react differently to negative experiences by people they had an inclination to suspect.

You may not like that but it's the basis for Hate law legislation to push for stronger laws on some groups thereby undermining the priniciple that justice is blind and equality before the law.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Young kids don't comprehend the mechanics or process of sex, which is why they aren't taught that until they're older.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with teaching kids about different family units in simple, age-appropriate terms - regardless of what parents want their kids to be exposed to in a classroom, they still have to operate in a world that doesn't care about their parents sensibilities, so some awareness is surely beneficial - if there are issues of bullying at the school arising out of such things, then surely its necessary.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Why is it propaganda?

It's a push but the local gay community to push their view on 5 year-old kids which little to do with whatever else is taught in kindergarten nowadays. Is there a single reason why that issue needs to pushed so early on kids who can't incorporate it?

There are divorced parents, dead parents, interracial parents, drunken and drug dependent parents, parents in prison . . . maybe they are mentioned too but why the emphasis on a single interest group and nobody notices it as blatant propaganda?

Your assumption of course is that those issues go ignored in schools.