Recently a the First US Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a case that would prevent discussion of homosexual families in elementary school classrooms. The case came about two years ago in Massachusetts. Parents brought about the lawsuit when a five-year-old kindergartner brought home a book that discussed homosexual partners and a second-grader’s class was read a story that depicted two gay princes.
In dismissing the lawsuit, the First US Circuit Court of Appeals judge Sandra L. Lynch wrote that the state constitution “mandates the recognition of same-sex marriage.” Judge Lynch also wrote “the mere fact that a child is exposed on occasion in public school to a concept offensive to a parent’s religious belief does not inhibit the parent from instructing the child differently.”
At the heart of this matter is sexuality. Never is it okay to talk about sexuality to a five-year-old. It is not a topic that should come up. What adults do in the privacy of their own bedroom should never be a topic for discussion in elementary school. Five-year-old children are simply not emotionally equipped to deal with such a topic. “Norming” this sort of thing with children is a slippery slope and we are slowly stripping innocence from childhood.
TPB
2 responses so far ↓
1 Appalled // Feb 10, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Wow..I think there is a line where homosexuality needs to be taught for sure but I don’t think it should be banned from education. The reason why people are so naive towards gay couples is because they were never informed. What if the child had two gay parents..I’m sure they would certainly realize they had two dads instead of a mom and dad. Shouldn’t he have the right to learn more about it instead of having to endure child bashing later on in life. Children should never live a life of ignorance and I feel that if kids are taught the differences early on then less judgment will come later. Its the same thing with evolution. Regardless whether or not you believe it in it must be taught for the sake of everyone.
2 admin // Feb 10, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for your comment. In fact, I agree that bashing of any nature is wrong. However, I believe that public schools mandating that any kind of sexuality be taught to five-year-olds is inappropriate. I think children at that age are so accepting that it isn’t an issue for them. Discrimination is taught. In my opinion, highlighting the difference can lead to more problems. This kind of topic is better left to the parents in the early years. TPB
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