Gay Lessons at 11: For or Against?
The Daily Mail had a piece on the future changes to the national curriculum last week. The article was from the angle of children as young as eleven being taught about gay relationships.
Here is the new proposed curriculum;
Age 4 – 7
Age 9 – 11
Age 11 – 14
partnerships
Source: Daily Mail
The Daily Mail has focused in on a perceived negative in their article when actually I think there’s a lot to be pleased about in this proposal. I particularly like the entrepreneurial theme that runs through the curriculum, including the ‘managing your money’ section, so many are in a dire situation at the moment and not all of it can be blamed on the economy. Poor money management has surely contributed to some of the issues many face. Formal teaching in this area is surely advantageous to us as a society.
I also appreciate the focus on health, perhaps we as parents need to be a little more accepting of the sex education bit. They may be our babies but they are future adult citizens who will be free to act in any way they please with only their knowledge and (hopefully) morals to guide them. More knowledge is better than less, no?
Finally, I don’t really get the big deal with learning about gay relationships at eleven anyway, am I on my own here?
Nope, I’m with you – ‘gay’ is a standard perjorative in my son’s playground and it really gets on my nerves.
I had sex ed classes in what would now be Year 6 – which were hilarious…think it’s about the right time to start really (the lessons, I mean, not the sex!).
I am in agreement with you, my eldest two are discussing this at the monet in Science, though not on the curriculum as required, the teachers are covering it because the pupils are asking about same sex.
I agree with you too, more information the better.
Children now know that people in same sex relationships can get married, so I think it is important to give them the facts.
Having been a ‘professional’ in this sphere for many years (in a pedagogical sense!) I think it’s long overdue (whatever the DM says). If you don’t like knowledge, try ignorance – or worse, the kind of mixed-up and confusing messages all primary school-age kids get from (all forms of) the media. Of course, in an ideal world all parents would do the job. I’ve already had to explain to my (Y6) daughter why one of her (female) teachers has come back to school with a wedding ring even though she isn’t living with a man. But if not at home, then school’s the next best thing.
I totally agree with you and the above comments. Better to learn about it at school or ideally from your parents than from the TV or misinformed friends! Ciao. A.
[as you see, I can comment againa now!!!]
I’m quite surprised, usually when I put these discussions up there’s usually some (cough) healthy debate, but we’re all in agreement here.
Glad it’s working Antonella.
Hi – yes I’m another singing to the same tune. Surely we want our children to be as understanding and respectful of others whatever their sexual orientation. Too many people are made to feel ‘different’ or picked on because of who they happen to fall in love with. As the saying goes: Some people are gay, get over it! I just wish the Daily Wail would. x
Like Jane, I’m rather upset that my son’s peers use “gay” in a negative manner. I’ve tried hard to explain same-sex relationships to my children when they have asked. Just the other day, my 4 year old DD told me that “gay” means “two men or two ladies who kiss”. Just like that – concise and correct (in a fashion) which made me rather proud.
Yes I totally agree that eleven year olds should gain an understanding of same-sex relationships! I also appreciate the incentive to explain money matters from an early age (and wish this had been taught when I was at school!). I hadn’t read about this before, so thanks for pointing it out so I can look it up for more info!