I had mixed feelings on the response to those who believed that
early childhood centers should avoid the inclusion of books depicting gay or
lesbian individuals. I feel that this is
something that should be taught so that there aren’t many biases towards people
like this. I also feel that it should be
at a parent’s discretion whether or not they want their young children to learn
about this at such a young age. There
are families who have two moms or two dads and these children talk about it and
other children at this young age have no idea what that means. I think having these resources are a good
idea but making sure they are appropriate for that age group would be the key
to making it successful and educational.
I have heard a child call another child “gay”, not because he knew
what they term meant but because he heard it before. He probably heard it in the context of
someone calling another this word.
Unfortunately, this word is used too often in the world today and used
in a way to just cut someone down not because they are actually gay but because
it has been used this way for awhile. If
other children would have heard this, they would question it and maybe start to
use it in the same matter which is not appropriate at all.
