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I am not sure that homosexuality needs to be "taught" at all. Perhaps it is the wording of the question that leaves room for interpretation. I do believe that schools must take an active role in teaching tolerance and acceptance of differences, but there is really no need to get into teaching morality. Parents have the right to teach their own personal morals and values to their children, schools do not have that right.

Schools do have the responsibility however to ensure the safety and security of all its students. In any school population, there will be homosexuals. The entire student body must be taught to treat their peers with dignity and respect. Tolerance of differences must be taught in school, if for no other reason, to ensure the safety of students while at school. Most certainly, if this responsibility was left to parents, some children would go without that training.

Schools are an extension of the community. It is not just a place to learn to read, write and compute, but also a place to learn socialization, which includes tolerance and acceptance. Public schools offer education to a diverse population of students, including various cultures and religious beliefs. It is not appropriate for teachers or schools to impose their personal beliefs concerning topics such as homosexuality, but they do need to promote, and insist upon, tolerance. Contraversial topics such as homosexuality or abortion, should be presented in a factual manner without bias.

It is my opinion that public schools tend not to teach children how to "think". By presenting factual information on topics such as homosexuality, they actually encourage critical thinking. Teachers must be ever conscious of the influence that they have over the developing mind of our young people, and never use their position to impose their own personal beliefs.

Parents who oppose this education would be those who are truly intolerant of homosexuals. Such parents are concerned that teaching children about homosexuality is akin to encouraging homosexual behavior. They are concerned that their own beliefs will no longer be accepted by their children. When beliefs are removed from the "teaching", that concern can be alleviated. The option for parents who oppose their children learning tolerance is private or charter education.

A health studies curriculum that gives statistical information and presents the opposing positions in a factual manner, arms children with knowledge that will assist them in understanding views that may differ from their own. This education should not take the form of assisting children in forming opinions or debating the positions. The entire focus should be on presenting facts and acceptance. Intolerance is borne out of ignorance and education is the only way to combat it.

Learn more about this author, Karen Weir.
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