Do you think this is fair? (Warning...may offend some would like opinions from Americans only. Thank you!:

lissa:

Erin:

This is NOT true.  In Florida they have an income guideline you have to follow in order to qualify for these vouchers.  It's for VERY low-income based families.  I applied for it, and was told we made too much money, and that is really funny if you saw my husbands' paychecks.  My kids still get to go to a private school, but now so many kids will not have that option because of the vouchers being done away with  and it's very sad. 

That might be how it works in Florida, but it's not how it works everywhere.  But, if your family makes very little money and you can afford private school without vouchers, what's the problem?  If vouchers are just for those with basically no income, how can they afford private school even with the vouchers?  I don't see the logic. There are other reasons vouchers don't work as well -- and it really does divert funds from public schools, which, like it or not, is how the vast majority children in this country are educated.

Oh, and just to be clear, Obama doesn't have the power to "kill" state school vouchers -- so Florida and every other state and locality can still do whatever they want.  The omnibus spending bill was only for D.C. vouchers.  Oh, and it looks like he's reversing that decision anyway.  http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/03/11/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4860043.shtml

We were able to afford it because the pastor was kind of enough to make a deal with us.  We don't even pay what someone would for a whole years' tuition for one child for three kids because we also pay for my brother to go to there.  And we are the only family in that school who was able to do that.  Everyone else either used vouchers or was able to pay the full amount. 

I don't want them learning this, just like I don't want them learning about men who have 7 wives and 46 kids.  It's too much for a child to wrap their brain around in my opinion. 

If my child were to make fun of Johnny because he has two mom's then I will deal with that and yes, he should be punished.  Should the school punish him?  Absolutely.  But, I will explain it to him. 

I have a big problem with homosexuality being taught in school. If it is sooo natural, why does it need to be taught that it is okay. My children are being taught that there are many sins in life, this being one of them, we love them and God loves them no matter what choices they make in life, but this would devastate me.

The author said that “the whole purpose of the book was to get the subject [of same-sex parent households] out into the minds and the awareness of children before they are old enough to have been convinced that there’s another way of looking at life.”

I"m bothered by this part of the statement (maybe someone touched on this, I have not read all the responses)--this says to me that they are out to undermine those of us parents who want to teach that this lifestyle is wrong and goes against nature. I would never teach this this early in life---my 7yr old has no idea what sex,homosexuality is. The author clearly states that they want the "idea" in the minds of the children before the are old enough to learn (convinced is her term) that it is wrong. This IMO is wrong, whenever someone goes against a parent's teachings.

 Evolution IMO being taught is not harmful-it is not an addictive behaviour and the truth can be taught. Homosexuality is an act against nature and should NEVER EVER be taught in the schools.

I honestly think this is a case of much ado about nothing.  I think that the whole point of this curricullum is not to "glorify" any one life style nor to state that it is right or wrong, good or bad.  The key is that it lets children know that there are different family make-ups out there and that we should all be tolerant (NOT judgemental) of others whether we agree with them or not.  It is not our place to judge. 

I would be fine with my children being exposed to this lesson at school and if they have particular questions about it afterwards then I am sure that they would come to me with their thoughts or concerns.

cflorkie:

Starlight:

My children are the most important beings on this planet as far as I'm concerned I would not allow them to be subjected to this type of learning that should be done BY ME!!! 

 

to clarify: 

actually from your PP's I would have to gather  that it means more to you to have this teaching done "in your opinion" as opposed to "someone else's"  You've made that quite clear,  and I have to say that your children (hopefully) will one day form their own opinions about this, regardless of what you teach them is a sin or not.  To shield them from someone else teaching them something is acceptable is wrong, close-minded, and it IS immature to think that your beliefs are the only ones out there that matter.

I am not saying your children don't matter to you, of course they do.  Unfortunatly this is does not equal maturity, that is all I'm saying on the matter.

 

I think you miss the point. And calling someone immature because they don't agree with they way you think things should be taught are below the belt. As parents we have the right to send our children to public schools (that we pay for btw) without having to worry about our children being taught what lifestyles are acceptable. Why should I have to homeschool?? Why should I have to pay big bucks to send them to private school? Maturity is no defined as accepting anything and everything without questioning it. Maturity is recognizing that something isn't acceptable to US and fighting to keep that out of schools. Children will be exposed to this one day, it is the parents job to address it. If my child is read this book in school, and ask about it, I will tell them that we don't believe that to be an acceptable lifestyle. But for you to say that we are "immature" is really quite rude. I do have an open mind, but having an open mind does not mean acceptance of everything--it is listening and making an informed decision. At ages 5-7yrs this is not the time for them to be introduced to it

 I don't like this idea for sure. Kids will be bullied in shcool no matter what.I don't think that "everything goes" it's ok.

 

Starlight, I too am Catholic, and a sin is a sin. It doesn't make us "homophobic" but it is our duty to teach and instill these values on our children. As long as they are under our care we are RESPONSIBLE to God for their upbringing. Once they are on their own, they can choose for themselves, but I think as parents we still need to put in our 2 cents. Love them no matter what. I don't like the fact they want to mandate that sort of education. That is going against our rights as parents. I think anything this personal or controverial should not be mandatory-where are the parent's rights?

 I don't think it should be taught in schools.

I think teaching our kids about an inclusive environment,  to have tolerance of differences in others, and to prevent bullying is great. But I think we can teach that without requiring that they read about a kid with 2 mommys or 2 daddys. 

There are TONS of stuff that kids tease other kids about...why focus on homosexuality?

I have not read any comments past the first page.... but I do not approve of this as something that should be taught in schools.

blue5pink1:

I have a big problem with homosexuality being taught in school. If it is sooo natural, why does it need to be taught that it is okay. My children are being taught that there are many sins in life, this being one of them, we love them and God loves them no matter what choices they make in life, but this would devastate me.

The author said that “the whole purpose of the book was to get the subject [of same-sex parent households] out into the minds and the awareness of children before they are old enough to have been convinced that there’s another way of looking at life.”

I"m bothered by this part of the statement (maybe someone touched on this, I have not read all the responses)--this says to me that they are out to undermine those of us parents who want to teach that this lifestyle is wrong and goes against nature. I would never teach this this early in life---my 7yr old has no idea what sex,homosexuality is. The author clearly states that they want the "idea" in the minds of the children before the are old enough to learn (convinced is her term) that it is wrong. This IMO is wrong, whenever someone goes against a parent's teachings.

 Evolution IMO being taught is not harmful-it is not an addictive behaviour and the truth can be taught. Homosexuality is an act against nature and should NEVER EVER be taught in the schools.

   I agree with all of this!

Somehow the premise of the original post has morphed into a different argument here.  I don't think the original article or discussion had to do with teaching "homosexuality" (i.e. insert a into c,d, e or f).  I think issue the original issue is whether or not it is appropriate to introduce a different family structure ( 2 moms/2 dads).  Some folks seem to view that as teaching children or "glorifying" homosexual sex.  At a young age, in a public school setting, discussion of sex whether it be heterosexual or homosexual is never appropriate.  This is about acceptance of children who have a varied family structure.

For a child who lives with Grandma and recognizing that as a possible "family"...are we teaching them it is okay for ma and pa to jump ship and dump kid on grandma?  No - we are showing acceptance of children with similar family structures.

For kids living in a single parent family - are we teaching kids that it is okay for Pa to hit the road and divorce Ma?   Nah, of course not.

Of course the list could go on forever.  There is no real teaching of disapproving lifestyles, but rather recognition and awareness of differences.  The catch phrase for this is, " Inclusion."

The beauty of the public school system is that you can Opt-out of this lesson for your children - so do it and end the worry - what's the big deal, so your kid sits in the library for the total of 15 minutes that this subject is actually addressed.  Address this subject at home, help your kids form the opinions you want them to have and hope that you do it before they catch wind of it in the media or through friends. Exclusion is always an option for Inclusion.

In terms of private or Christian schools....contrary to some beliefs, they very, very, very often do not 1. provide even an equal or better education than public schools, 2. nor are they actually ever successful at shielding children from controversial topics.

Here is a parenting challenge and I ask this sincerely,

How do you clearly teach to children a strong disapproval of a person's lifestyle and essence of being, but also teach complete love and acceptance for all person's irregardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation?

katescubs:

How do you clearly teach to children a strong disapproval of a person's lifestyle and essence of being, but also teach complete love and acceptance for all person's irregardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation?

 

Yes, but Katescubs, teaching that it's acceptable is not something everyone is OK with. You might teach that it's acceptable, and Joe down the street might not. However, both you and Joe teach your kids that you should respect people in general.

In schools, no one but the child and teacher knows what is being taught, the spin put on things, or the true words spoken. At my school last year, a student complained to her parents a teacher called her "niggerish" and the whole case went to the principal and disciplinary actions were talked about, etc. In the end, the principal believed her staff. Later in the year, this teacher confessed to me and my other co-worker at happy hour that she HAD said it. It's ridiculous what teachers can and do get away with.

Here's an article regarding what I said before about vouchers: what state next?

 

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/03/02/obama-and-the-dems-standing-in-the-dc-schoolhouse-door/

katescubs:

How do you clearly teach to children a strong disapproval of a person's lifestyle and essence of being, but also teach complete love and acceptance for all person's irregardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation?

I would teach them the way I was taught.  I was taught to love everyone and never cause harm.  I was taught to never pick on someone or bully.  But I was NOT taught to be accepting of all lifestyles or behaviors.  I was taught it was wrong to kill and steal.  I was taught that there are people who do kill and steal...and was also told that it is wrong to do both.  For me to teach my children that they must be accepting of all peoples lifestyles and behaviors is really impossible.  I do not approve of a life of crime so I would teach my kids it's wrong!  Same thing with this type of lifestyle.  We just don't approve and our kids will know that.  But they will be taught that they still must love thy neighbor.  You can love someone and not LIKE what they do.  I was also taught to just pray for those people who deviate from living a life according to what the church teaches.  At the end of the day, we cannot change how people live their lives, we can only pray for them and love them regardless but like I said love and acceptance are two different things IMO.

(A)  Katescubs --

(B)  Michelle Malkin is not a reliable or unbiased news source.  And she is citing the Washington Post editorial board -- also right wing and based on opinion.  And, the article says absolutely nothing about other states (it's just about D.C. and the omnibus spending bill, as I noted before) having to do this.

lissa:

(A)  Katescubs --

(B)  Michelle Malkin is not a reliable or unbiased news source.  And she is citing the Washington Post editorial board -- also right wing and based on opinion.  And, the article says absolutely nothing about other states (it's just about D.C. and the omnibus spending bill, as I noted before) having to do this.

President Obama did not take a strong stand in the elections about his views on education. Weak, in my opinion. There is outcry in the black community for him supporting the end of vouchers. I wish I had the clip of the mother from The Today Show waving her finger and saying "Shame on you, Mr. President" b/c her daughter had to stop attending the same school he sends Malia and Sasha to... but I can't find it and my baby needs a bottle. Here's another article, and Lissa, if you can find one un-biased, I would be happy to read it for sure. http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/dc-school-system-bids-farewell-to-vouchers/