This picture shows Nettelhorst Elementary School parent Amy Goodman and her children (Sadie, 3, and Ben, 6) preparing a wagon for the 40th annual Pride Parade, which celebrates the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. About 50 families from Nettelhorst took part in the parade along with their elementary-aged children. Read this short article from the Tribune to learn more about why the group from Nettelhorst chose to participate, and then share your thoughts on: a) Whether you think this is a good idea for elementary kids, and/or b) How you think parents at your school would respond to such an effort. (Or, if you'd rather, respond to Daniel's great "Teachable Moment" post below).
I have given lot of thinking after reading this post. If I was told by my boss that I have to make a preparation for the gay parade,I would certainly do it. I do have respect for everybody, I know many people who are gay, and many of my friends are gay. However, I do not think that I would have my children to participate in one. There are controversies behind why some people turn gay, and although I do not know all that facts behind it, I think that being gay is in part a life style, which I do not support. To clear all misunderstandings, I do have respect for all human beings and I will continue to be friendly with people who are gay. Moreover, I would not try to stop their parade by organize action religious or not, or hurt anyone because of their lifestyle. But I would not want my children to know that is OK with me to participate in events like this. My children are still young and I do not know what they are going to do when they fully mature, but I would not let them to this now, because I know that children learn by example. That particular school and families did what was right for them, and I am fine with this, but I personally would not do it.
ReplyDeleteOuch touchy subject! I can see were Anna is coming from and I could almost agree with her but I'm going to take a different approach on it. I'm not sure it's such a great idea to have elementary kids involved in the parade. I not saying that the gay lifestyle is inappropriate for them to see, but the flamboyance is. I've been to a gay pride parade before there lots of fun but somethings, not all are definetly not age appropriate for elementary aged students. On the other hand I could see why Nettelhorst Elementary would get involved in the parade it's part of their community. It's a lifestyle that these kids have probably seen anyway so they should know that it's o.k. and that their human beings and should be treated with respect and that's somebodies family. Although all families are different it does not make them less of a family. I could see elementary kids involved in the parade if the flamboyance is cut down. Now as for the school I work at I think it would be a split decision. The way my parents complain I could see them really making a big deal about joining the parade. While others might just be o.k. with it and actually join us. So really it's a decision one must take. I don't think it should be chosen for you.
ReplyDeleteI think that as parents we have the responsibility to choose what we want our children to participate in. We as adults can persuade our children in the lifestyle we choose to live. We influence them on the importance of a good education, respect for others, the need for good nutrition, and family and moral values depending on our convictions. We live in a country where freedom of speech is exercised from those that are in favor as well as those that oppose. Do I think it’s a good idea for elementary kids to participate in a gay parade? Primarily, I would like to address the fact that it is important for parents to teach their children to respect others no matter what their lifestyles are. However, due to the sexual nature and adult content that this particular event may encompass, I would personally advocate protecting our children from the mature audience this event attracts. Parents can teach their children these differences without exposing them to adult behavior that children need not be expose to. In due time these young adolescent will be adults and they will choose for themselves which lifestyle to live. But for now let them be children.
ReplyDeleteChildren can be exposed to “harmful” things everyday and personally, I don’t think this is one of those “harmful” things. Straight parents from this school are the ones that organized the participation in the parade and I think it’s great that others followed. It was the parents choice to participate and if they chose to expose their children to it, who are we to judge. People may not always agree to the choices you make as a parent but you make the choice that you feel is best for your children. I don't think it matters how old or young you are because gays and lesbians are a part of our society, we need to accept it. I think these straight parents were willing to expose their children to and support gays and lesbians because they are “normal/regular” human beings just like everybody else. We talk about being diverse and teaching our children about diversity, this was one way for those parents to do so. I think its great that gay and lesbian parents had a chance to participate in a parade with their children without being looked at as different. As far as parents in my school, I think it could go either way. We will always have people that are for something and those who are against it.
ReplyDeleteBeing that the school is located in the Lakeview community, I think it is important for students to participate especially when there is parental support, in particular in this case where parents were the ones doing the organizing. It is important to involve students' community in there education as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a student in Little Village, we participated in the Mexican Independence Day parade. Not all of the students in the school were Mexican, but we still participated. And to me nationality is also a choice. You inherit your ethnicity from your parents, and even that could be argued is a social construct. But nations were created by people, so that now we can choose to be a citizen of a nation, and choose to assimilate into that nation's lifestyle if we so choose to do so. But anyways that's a digression. Whenever I start to thinking about why children should not participate I think back to other groups that have also asked for recognition and acceptance from society. I think it's a shame people even have to march to voice their presence to a society- it's insulting to those people.
Being that I work in a predominately Latino school, I think most parents would not sign off on their children participating. I think there's still a lot of work to be done without Latino and African American communities as far as how accepting they are of others. These prejudices are then transmitted to the students. It's so common to hear students call each other "gay" as a put down. But what does that do to the child that's already questioning their sexuality or whose parent is a member of the GLBT community.
Having said all this, the parade does get pretty wild sometimes, so I'm not sure if I'd want young children marching, but for sure participate in the planning or a discussion about the event.
I agree with those of you who say that some of the Pride parade's floats and attractions are geared to adults and may not be appropriate for kids. Still, I think it is commendable and courageous for this group of parents to involve their children. The bigger question, to me, is how do we educate about gay and lesbian issues in age-appropriate ways? As several of you mentioned, there is still quite a bit of anti-gay sentiment in many communities. How do we take that into consideration and yet educate our students to respect all people? How do we create classrooms that are truly safe spaces for all kids?
ReplyDeleteI do believe that educating our students about gay and lesbian issues is a big question. There is no doubt that these people do deserve respect just like anyone else. I do not like to point fingers at anyone or blame anyone for the lack of education on gay people, but good example is former President Clinton with his don't tell don't ask policy applied in army toward gays. I think, it should began on the higher level like for example government. Than, people would see that if our government doesn't treat them hush, hush, but respects them by speaking openly, other people would develop respect and treat them equally. I also agree that those of our students who are gay or lesbian, have the same rights to learn as the rest of the students in a healthy and safe environment.
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