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

I have no problem with it.  What's wrong with teaching students that the families their classmates come from are ok -- is it better for those students to be teased and harrassed?  I would hope schools would teach my children that all families are acceptable.  I don't think tolerance is anything to fear.  I was raised by a single parent, and I bet back in the day, there would have been a similar outcry about letting kids think it was acceptable for a child to be raised by just a mom. 

I do, however, question what the curriculum actually says, though, since I think the source of this article is not neutral.  The source proclaims:  "The Trumpet uses a single overarching criterion that sets it apart from other news sources and keeps it focused like a laser beam on what truly is important. That criterion is prophetic significance. The Trumpet seeks to show how current events are fulfilling the biblically prophesied description of the prevailing state of affairs just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ." (http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?page=help&q=about)

ETA:  I also don't think it's teaching kids about homosexuality, how to be gay, or that they should be gay.  It seems a lot more like "kids come from lots of different families and that's ok!"  I think it's more about accepting their classmates than it is about any kind of sexuality.

 I think a public school should remain neutrel with these topics. At my school, 4th graders are acting older and older, but that doesn't mean we explain what sex is about to them. I think in all public schools, regardless of the grade, this subject matter should be left alone. Schools are there to teach academics, really, not social norms or orders. What is left for the parents to teach?! When I was in 11th grade, I came home with a pamphlet on condoms & safe sex. My Dad was pissed; he felt it was not their job to educate me on this as he all ready had. He called and complained, but it didn't change anything.

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I have no problem with the concept being taught in schools, and I would (and currently do), in fact, teach my children that there are all different types of families. But, it should not be "required".

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 Personally, I see nothing wrong with it. It's a fact of life, religious or not. My state just legalized gay marriages, NH is following next. I do not believe books like these would turn my child gay.

lissa:

I would hope schools would teach my children that all families are acceptable. 

 

cflorkie:

Again, it is not "required" - you have other educational options.

I was just referencing mtgirl's earlier post, and that parents should be given the choice to opt out, like Starlight mentioned.

cflorkie:

Do you think that everyone supposed to conform to your beliefs? 

No...but my tax dollars should count for something.  I should have a say.  At least be able to sign a waiver.  Not have this "required" bulls#it!

cflorkie:

well take this as a sign to hit the highway and either homeschool or Catholic school. It's not that hard of a decision.

  That is what I put in my OP.  I am taking it as a sign to do just that.

cflorkie:

If you can't be open-minded and mature about this

That is hitting way below the belt.  Don't assume I'm not "mature about this.  I am VERY mature.  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 imply and flat out say I am immature is condesending to say the least

 

 

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cflorkie:

I know, but I have to kindly disagree, because those kids whose parents "opt out" are not being taught by the school board to be accepting of other people's families.  You can say that all parents who opt out will do this, and in an ideal world that would happen, but I can't see it being true.  I am certain that this change is only to thwart bullying, not to turn people's children gay.  If they avoid this topic, then they won't know how to interact with gay people, and their children, and thus the bullying issue is not solved.  I am sure that these topics were put into place due to bullying causing suicides in young children.  There were two children this year that I can think of off the top of my head that died because they were teased about being gay, and they were 11.

I understand where you're coming from, but it is a very slippery slope when you get into telling parents that they "have to" do something. Many people see sex ed in schools as important, yet it is not "required" that parents allow their children to take part.

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cflorkie:

those kids whose parents "opt out" are not being taught by the school board to be accepting of other people's families.

Bull!  To assume that I will not tell my children that you treat ALL people with respect no matter what their lifestyle consists of is just ignorant.  Just because I am not for my children learning about homosexuality in a public school setting does not mean I'm going to bring my kids up to be gay bashers!

cflorkie:

If they avoid this topic, then they won't know how to interact with gay people, and their children, and thus the bullying issue is not solved. 

Again ridiculous!  Bullying will be around from now until the end of times.  It has nothing to do with kids not getting this curriculum.  They teach about bullying in the school system now.  Don't pick on someone cause they look different...wear glasses, have braces ect and guess what??  Kids still pick on others.  That is WHAT THEY DO!  Is it right?  No!  But to assume all will be right with the world because kids get the 411 on homosexuality from their 2nd grade teacher is just silly IMO.  Kids will pick on kids for the dumbest reasons.  I know!  My son was picked on because his hair wasn't cut the way all the boys are cutting it now

 

 well, a facebook quiz said i am 68% gay, so i might be biased. 

ok.  really, im with lissa.  i would like to hear about this from an unbiased source.  but, either way, i don't think teaching kids that different kinds of families are ok is a bad thing.  we go to church with many gay couples/parents.  we make sure to teach our kids to love all people and respect and embrace our differences (even if those differences are super conservative).  

 Totally agree also! I have nothing against homosexuals, but I seriously think it shouldn't be introduced in schools..

 I wouldn't worry too much about it, that was after all in California.