Should children's textbooks include info on the contributions of gay people?
440125
I don't mind if they mention a certain author or painter is gay, but I don't think there should be required gay studies classes.
510957
Yes- parenting or at least some kind of child development or child psych... combined with a sex ed- at least the part about efectiveness of various kinds of birth control and info about STD's.... like "Abstinance is the only sure way to avoid all STD's, including pregnancy..." or "A 5-yr-old is egocentric. She thinks that her behavior and actions are the cause of everything else happening..." and so on...\n\nAnother answer mentioned homosexuals lack of need for this type of education- if they choose to adopt, aren't they still parents? Aren't they still responsible to love and teach those children?\n\nMany people are placed in a parental role, not always by choice. I don't think anyone can get through life without contact with children- their own offspring, nieces/nephews, grandchildren, the neighbor kids, babysitting, etc. Understanding how kids at different ages think is vital for these relationships.\n\nI am not a parent, but my church has asked that I care for and supervise the little ones while their parents are in their classes. These children are between 18 months and 3 yrs old. I am grateful for what I know about children. Because of my college human development classes, I know what to expect from these kids- behavior, attention span, etc.\n\nNo, the public school system is not very well equiped to, nor should they teach ethics, but they can teach statistics, trends, and the typical development of infants, children and teens.
197801
Hey, some times folks need help. Course, I don't just give an answer and surf away; if I can show them how to do something right, then they won't need to come back. I try to explain in as understandable a way I can whatever I'm talking about, because I know that textbooks have a bad habit of being confusing, expensive, tree-wasting pieces of useless trash, and lots of teachers too.\n\nAfter all, if these kids resort to this place, which can take forever to get a good answer, then they might actually need help.
333248
Ugh I hate it. So many kids at my school are acting like that. It's just a fad (or a way for gays to express themselves in a "cool" way)
963409
I am not liberal or a conservative, but I do think that it is wrong to teach children that there is a difference in peoples sexual preferences.  Children at that age should not know anything about what adults do.  I know it is hard to keep them from hearing everything, but there is no reason to put it right in front of them.  The schools should teach acceptance of all people despite race, gender, etc.  I think that in this day and age it is hard for us to protect our children from all the harsh realities of life.  Your son will be exposed to this at some point in the future but it is up to you to teach him what you want him to know.  And, you have to be ready for your child to make his own decision on how he feels when he is older.  His best friend may end up being gay or something you don't like.  I think that you have every right to raise your son how you want to, but you need to be ready for him to rebel in some way, or to just not have the same convictions as you.  I know that my parents are proud of me even though I don't have the same beliefs as they do.  My parents never tried to force their beliefs on me, but they did try to influence my decision by telling me what they thought was right.  \n \nDon't try to understand the agends of the political world.  The basic thing is to make the other guy look bad so you will always look good.  It is all a bunch of crap anyway.  Go with your feelings and forget the rest of the junk.\n\n\nI would also like to ask a question:  Why does being gay have to be an issue?  Is a gay person not still a person just because he is gay?  Why do we have to fight over gay rights?  I thought that as a person we already had all the rights we needed to be allowed to live.  " the right to life, liberty, and the persute of happiness"  How does being gay change those rights?  If being gay is what makes a person happy then they have the right to be gay without being treated differently.
935718
First of all, the book is not about penguins. I know the characters are penguins, but the book is about two men who raise a child. \n\nThe only people who are scared of this are people who feel the need to be overly PC, or people who have religious reservations about gay marriage. I understand that the book never directly speaks of gay marriage, but that is the way people interpret the book. \n\nI don't know what religious beliefs you may hold, but if one of your  most treasured and firmly held beliefs was threatend in the form of a childrens book, you may raise some eybrows.\n\n\nTha being said, the US needs to learn that times, people, and beliefs are changing.
692958
Why is this in special education?  I dont know go ask a gay guy... good grief!\n\nI also agree with  b c munkee.. I am also rubbing my head in disgust!
812856
"the public opinion on homosexuality"
891285
You're right it is amazing how all these hetero couples have managed to raise gay children. That should give people a clue but it doesn't seem to. There is not a thing wrong with gay people raising children. Love is what a child needs it doesn't matter to them if you are gay or not.
230642
If you have a Books-A-Million store around you'll find those things in the Children's Homeschooling section and/or Children's Education section.  I believe Barnes & Noble should have a section like that.
584461
No. What does sexual orientation have to do with teaching?
274006
Hi there ... here are a couple of great links that have some very interesting facts, and viewpoints:\n\nhttp://www.newdirection.ca/a_biol.htm\nhttp://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/
537124
I am just Wilde about it Oscar. Let me put down my beer stein, Gertrude, and my Alice B. Toklas brownies so I can answer your question. Isn't it queer you should ask? I know nothing of this. I don't believe one's sexuality should include anyone or exclude anyone as far as historical significance is concerned. I don't think gays should be villified or glorified. The only thing that gives me pause is that it raises homophobia to the same level as racism. One cannot choose one's skin color, except for George Hamilton and Michael Jackson.
1097935
I think any time you can put a child in a permanent, loving and nurturing home, then you should. Who cares what the sexual orientation of the parent are if they can love and provide for the child. And no, I don't think the child will end up homosexual because of it.
447902
Huge debate there... not sure where to start.\n\nPros:\n-Educates the masses about STDs.\n-Educates the masses on reproduction and general knowledge of health issues and care for ones reproductive system.\n-Takes the stress off of the parents who may feel too embarrased to discuss with thier children.\n-Offers relief to those who wonder if the changes they are experiencing are "normal".\n-Helps remove the shame western cultures have towards sexuality.\n-Demystifies controversial topics like homosexuality.\n-Give a third party the opportunity to observe behaviors in the student that may suggest sexual abuse.\n-Educates student on safety issues.\n\ncons:\n-Does not (and should not) explain moral issues.  This is the sole responsibility of the parent, not the government.\n-Does not give the parent the decision of what time is best for thier child to be exposed to sexual topics.\n-Does not (and should not) cover religious issues. Also the sole responsibility of the parent.\n-Invites curiosity in the students which might lead to experimentation.\n-Introduces students to topics that parents may not approve of, like homosexuality.\n-Depending on the maturity and psychological state of the student, could create fear or anxiety.\n\nMy personal opinion, I am pro-education on all topics.  My only request is that the schools let me know the curriculum and agenda so that I can cover the topics with my child first.  She should understand our families moral and religious views before she is introduced the topic by a stranger or government employee.
558760
Not at all. If they are a good teacher, they are a good teacher. Put it this way; do you recall being influenced by your teachers sexuality one bit? I know I ceratinly wasn't. Things like homosexuality are part of the world, hiding it away from kids is not the answer.
633638
Author:Holliday, Laurel \nPublisher:Simon Pulse \nSubject:Race relations \nSubject:People of Color \nSubject:Biography & Autobiography - People of Color \nSubject:Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography \nSubject:Biography \nSubject:Afro-americans \nSubject:United states \nSubject:Racism \nSubject:African Americans \nSubject:History \nSubject:Ethnic - African American \nSubject:Social Situations - Prejudice & Racism \nSubject:People of Color \nSubject:People & Places - United States - African-American \nEdition Description:AB Young Reader Young Readers \nAbridged:Y \nSeries:Children of Conflict Young Readers \nSeries Volume:1c \nPublication Date:January 2000  LOOK HERE :)\nBinding:Mass Market Paperbound \nLanguage:English \nPages:208 \nDimensions:7.03x4.18x.62 in. .20 lbs. \nAge Level:09-12