by G E Barr

Created on: July 13, 2007   Last Updated: April 16, 2009

Family Time

As I recall, my kids learned about homosexuality via society and then I had to kind of explain a few things. I didn't want my children becoming involved in homophobic activities, like ganging up on gay people. So, I advised them that it is an alternative lifestyle for some.

My kids saw alot. We lived in poverty, and poverty has a way of stripping innocense away. When the kid who lives in the building across the courtyard is often seen running across it, in the night all alone with something in his hand, it requires explanation. Children are often used to run drugs for their mothers. Mine never did.

At any rate, homosexuality is very common and I think that children should be told about it. Schools should not be put in the position of teaching anything about sex acts to kids. I just don't think that it's the place to teach sex. There is enough pressure to rob children of their innocense, and besides, it is distracting.

It really is getting to where schools and parents don't need to say much of anything. Sex is just so out of the closet and smeared all over the place. There's internet, television, movies and of course other kids.

I have nothing against gay people and I do think that they should have the basic human respect that heterosexuals do.

However, I think that putting sex education in the classroom, I mean beyond explaining DNA and the basic mechanics of procreating is not conducive to academic focus. Academic focus should be paramount.

Math, history, geography, reading, writing, spelling...these are intellectual endeavors and as such, require attention. Children are not prone to self discipline and it takes time for them to acquire the skills of paying attention. Sex is definitely a distraction, which leads to an interest in who's wearing what. I mean, should children be saddled with the problems all adults deal with? Why? I mean, would you send a five year old to the kitchen to make you a quiche?

Maturity is an evolutionary process and children are not being allowed to do so naturally. They're being burdened with so much too young.

I just don't believe that the complexities of sex should be introduced to children in school as though the subject is some sort of absolute. I think that it is emotionally damaging in the long run.

However, it might be a good idea to offer some kind of course in the senior year of highschool. Just in case.

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