Teaching kids that certain things are wrong

[geekgirlkelli]

As more and more research points to the notion that being gay or transgendered is biological and not a conscious choice...

I am of the thinking that eventually science will prove this, just as science proved that the world isn't flat and the earth isn't the center of the Universe.

So with that in mind, how ethical is it to teach children that being gay or trans is a choice, if science proves otherwise?

I know many people (myself included) who went through untold pain because of having their orientation and/or gender expression suppressed by parents who were in denial.

To me this is no more right in this day and age than trying to assert that the world is flat.

Thoughts?

 

[HaloHope]

As more and more research points to the notion that being gay or transgendered is biological and not a conscious choice...

I am of the thinking that eventually science will prove this, just as science proved that the world isn't flat and the earth isn't the center of the Universe.

So with that in mind, how ethical is it to teach children that being gay or trans is a choice, if science proves otherwise?

I know many people (myself included) who went through untold pain because of having their orientation and/or gender expression suppressed by parents who were in denial.

To me this is no more right in this day and age than trying to assert that the world is flat.

Thoughts?

I totally and utterly agree with you.

Countless amounts of pain and suffering would be reduced if this wasn't taught to children.

 

[WatersMoon110]

Personally, I think it is unethical to lie to children about anything. We don't plan to continue the "Santa" or "Tooth Fairy" myths with any children we have.

I think that most intelligent people are already teaching their children that there is nothing wrong with being gay. And hopefully many of them also believe and teach that there is nothing wrong with being transgendered (so long as one gets the access one wants to treatment to correct this).

I like to hope that the rest of the children out there might at least be taught that it is unacceptable to bully anyone for any reason, including being suspected of being gay or transgendered. I think it is very unethical to teach children that it is okay to cruel to other people, for any reason.

 

[angellica]

Personally, I think it is unethical to lie to children about anything. We don't plan to continue the "Santa" or "Tooth Fairy" myths with any children we have.

I think that most intelligent people are already teaching their children that there is nothing wrong with being gay. And hopefully many of them also believe and teach that there is nothing wrong with being transgendered (so long as one gets the access one wants to treatment to correct this).

I like to hope that the rest of the children out there might at least be taught that it is unacceptable to bully anyone for any reason, including being suspected of being gay or transgendered. I think it is very unethical to teach children that it is okay to cruel to other people, for any reason.

I don't see letting kids believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy as lying to them. It's just fun for their childhood! It doesn't cause them any harm (which is what a bunch of people's argument about being gay is about), so why not?

 

[selfinflikted]

As much as I'd like to say that all gay people are gay because of biology, I can't. There are people, even some on these very boards who 'chose' to be gay. I never knew that people could or would want to choose to be gay, but luckily I have learned a lot of new things from my friends here at CF. So in reality, some gay people do choose to be gay. Thing is, it shouldn't matter whether being gay is a choice or not, the important thing to teach children is that it isn't wrong.

 

[geekgirlkelli]

I don't see letting kids believe in Santa or the Tooth Fairy as lying to them. It's just fun for their childhood! It doesn't cause them any harm (which is what a bunch of people's argument about being gay is about), so why not?

I've started another thread on the fictional character part of this discussion so as not to detract from the point of the OP.

 

[geekgirlkelli]

As much as I'd like to say that all gay people are gay because of biology, I can't. There are people, even some on these very boards who 'chose' to be gay. I never knew that people could or would want to choose to be gay, but luckily I have learned a lot of new things from my friends here at CF. So in reality, some gay people do choose to be gay. Thing is, it shouldn't matter whether being gay is a choice or not, the important thing to teach children is that it isn't wrong.

I'm not saying there isn't, but I have never met anyone who actually chose to be gay or trans. But you make a valid and interesting point.

 

[selfinflikted]

I'm not saying there isn't, but I have never met anyone who actually chose to be gay or trans. But you make a valid and interesting point.

Stick around long enough, and you will

I'm not going to name names because, frankly, it's not my place. But trust me, they're here. And, they're quite awesome people to boot!

 

[cantata]

I'm not saying there isn't, but I have never met anyone who actually chose to be gay or trans. But you make a valid and interesting point.

Me me me!

Ahem.

I chose to be(come) bisexual. Best decision of my life.

 

[angellica]

If I have kids, I intend on teaching them about the Bible and God and I hope they will grow up to love Him and put Him first in their lives. If I am able, maybe I will send them to a Christian school, but if not, I will make sure they stay grounded in their faith no matter what!

 

[selfinflikted]

If I have kids, I intend on teaching them about the Bible and God and I hope they will grow up to love Him and put Him first in their lives. If I am able, maybe I will send them to a Christian school, but if not, I will make sure they stay grounded in their faith no matter what!

Just make sure that, along with teaching them that gays are an evil abomination, you also teach them to never cut their hair, never eat shrimp, and never, never, never wear polycotton blends.

 

[geekgirlkelli]

Me me me!

Ahem.

I chose to be(come) bisexual. Best decision of my life.

This is best left to another discussion, and I do find it interesting. Shall I start yet another thread?

 

[angellica]

Just make sure that, along with teaching them that gays are an evil abomination, you also teach them to never cut their hair, never eat shrimp, and never, never, never wear polycotton blends.

Watch a bunch of the West Wing?

Also, do not put words in my mouth, please. Thanks!

 

[selfinflikted]

Watch a bunch of the West Wing?

Also, do not put words in my mouth, please. Thanks!

That's not a denial.

 

[cantata]

This is best left to another discussion, and I do find it interesting. Shall I start yet another thread?

You can PM me if you'd prefer. Not sure if another thread on the Dreaded Subject of Doom would be very popular!

 

[geekgirlkelli]

You can PM me if you'd prefer. Not sure if another thread on the Dreaded Subject of Doom would be very popular!

Too late!

 

[angellica]

That's not a denial.

That's not a denial either. I guess you do watch the West Wing and I guess you did put words in my mouth!

 

[selfinflikted]

That's not a denial either. I guess you do watch the West Wing and I guess you did put words in my mouth!

lol. The only tv shows I watch are House, South Park, and pretty much everything on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel. No West Wing here!

And yes, I did through inference, say that you believe gays are evil. Sorry about that!

 

[geekgirlkelli]

lol. The only tv shows I watch are House, South Park, and pretty much everything on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and the Science Channel. No West Wing here!

Wow. Trade House for shows on paranormal research and our taste in TV is almost identical.