walshie Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Makes my blood boil t.b.h. Why can't they let them be kids while they have the chance? Teaching the basic mechanics would be plenty, but not at 5 or 6. What use is there in teaching homosexuality to children? When the time comes to make a decision on your sexuality, something a teacher told you 10+ years ago won't come into it. Schools seem to have their priorities all wrong nowadays. Call me old fashioned but I reckon reading and writing are more important than people's bedroom preferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 (edited) I would say its not normal, it depends on what people define as normal. If the vast majority of relationships are a man and a woman then to me that would be normal. As for sex education it depends on what they are teaching. Perhaps in view of the comments above, we need to be clear about whether we're talking about mathematically normal or experientially normal. Mathematically speaking, the frequency of homosexuality approaches but likely does not exceed two standard deviations from the normal for the whole population. Supposedly between 6-10% of the population are homosexual either in inclination or practice and 2 standard deviations from the mean is defined as "95.6% of a given population will fall within the range of 2 S.D."). Statistically speaking, this isn't particularly extreme, even if only 6% of the population are "genuinely" homosexual (though of course, definition is everything). By comparison, in industry, an unusual event is usually defined as being at least 3 S.D. from the mean, and in some cases, as many as 6 S.D. This definition of "unusual" therefore starts at a 1 in 500 chance of something occurring and goes up to a chance of 1 in 506797346 of something occuring. The idea of something being "not normal" is generally considered to exist somewhere in this range, dependent on what's being measured and what "criticality" one assigns to that unusual event. On that basis, homosexuality is normal - common, even. To give a roughly equivalent example, hospital blood tests' "normal" ranges are set as 2 standard deviations from the mean. I.e. there's a range of "ordinary values" around an average where your blood chemistry is expected to be. Approximately 1 in 20 healthy people will be outside that range for any given test. (What this means is that if you have 20 tests done on a trip to hospital, you'd expect 1 to be abnormal, even if you were perfectly healthy.) The point is, the likelihood of having an abnormal blood test is quite high. Likewise, the likelihood of finding one or more people inclined to homosexuality in even a smallish group of people is significant, if not numerically high. Away from the maths: humans tend to group with those who are most like them and sexual behaviour is no different. If homosexuality appears to be an uncommon, rare thing, it may simply be that the circles one moves in don't overlap with the circles homosexuals move in. Therefore the actual prevalence of homosexuality or homosexual inclinations is likely to be in excess of one's perceived prevalence - except of course, if one is homosexual and is therefore more inclined to associate with other homosexuals: in that case, one would expect the actual prevalence to be less than one's perceived prevalence. Simples? Edited February 18, 2015 by neutron619 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Makes my blood boil t.b.h. Why can't they let them be kids while they have the chance? Teaching the basic mechanics would be plenty, but not at 5 or 6. What use is there in teaching homosexuality to children? When the time comes to make a decision on your sexuality, something a teacher told you 10+ years ago won't come into it. Schools seem to have their priorities all wrong nowadays. Call me old fashioned but I reckon reading and writing are more important than people's bedroom preferences. As far as I'm aware parents will still have the right to refuse sex education for kids (although very few do). I don't know if you have young kids, I do and I can tell you that in every aspect they get a vastly better education than I did, which includes the three Rs and much more besides, so sex ed isn't going to replace English or maths. And by the way, they don't teach homosexuality (or heterosexuality for that matter) they just inform them of the various ways us humans relate to each other sexualy, if that helps 10% of our kids grow up guilt free and the rest open minded and well rounded then its a win, win situation in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Makes my blood boil t.b.h. Why can't they let them be kids while they have the chance? Teaching the basic mechanics would be plenty, but not at 5 or 6. What use is there in teaching homosexuality to children? When the time comes to make a decision on your sexuality, something a teacher told you 10+ years ago won't come into it. Schools seem to have their priorities all wrong nowadays. Call me old fashioned but I reckon reading and writing are more important than people's bedroom preferences. Agree 100% kids get one go at being kids, so why in gods name cant we let them be kids,and yes your observation of where our educational priorities should be targeted is spot on. I have just spent 3 days in the company of some 150 year 10 pupils ( it was not fun), pupils considered of a standard to be worthy of apprenticeships in a couple of years, all I can say is oh dear the system does not seem to be working? KW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVB Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Kids amaze me at times. We were discussing homosexualty with my 10 year old son recently. I hope we did it in a low key relaxed way. I expected my son to be pretty unphased by it but he shuddered and "that is just wrong". We reiterated that that was how some people feel and there isn't a 'right or wrong' to it but he just shook his head and walked off. It wasn't what I expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fern01 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Why not leave innocent children to enjoy their childhood for as long as possible? Children of that age do not need to know this stuff under say 10-11 years old. Same with cancer, beheading and other such things. Ok, I know I am very old school and not progressive and cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Can't see what all the fuss is about!! I'd rather my children were suitably informed, takes the pressure off of me having to explain it later on!! parental responsibility...... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 If your not gay how are you supposed to get on Come Dine with Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I have to say, there are some very tolerant, thoughtful and non-judgemental posts on this thread. I am on pigeon watch right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Makes my blood boil t.b.h. Why can't they let them be kids while they have the chance? Teaching the basic mechanics would be plenty, but not at 5 or 6. What use is there in teaching homosexuality to children? When the time comes to make a decision on your sexuality, something a teacher told you 10+ years ago won't come into it. Schools seem to have their priorities all wrong nowadays. Call me old fashioned but I reckon reading and writing are more important than people's bedroom preferences. Mate, I couldnt agree more with you. Too much pressure on kids to grow up too soon IMO. Sex education is fine but should be done by mum and dad, after all that is were it begins innit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Why not leave innocent children to enjoy their childhood for as long as possible?Children of that age do not need to know this stuff under say 10-11 years old.Same with cancer, beheading and other such things.Ok, I know I am very old school and not progressive and cool. Perhaps looking at sex as being in the same vein as beheading and cancer is the real problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I am for kids learning at an early age and then growing up they can form their opinions about sexuality/likes/ dislikes .What they learn gives them the building blocks to a healthy sex life ,not a stifled behind closed doors Victorian attitude. It is a lot better than my school sex education,thank goodness for razzle and Jill on the upper rugby pitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Sex education is fine but should be done by mum and dad, after all that is were it begins innit All well and good, but a huge number of parents don't and wouldn't. Perhaps one of the reasons why we have one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the developed world? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 How on earth we got to a world population of 7billion without teacher "educating" 5 year old's I will never know, shame the enlightened educational system did not put the same effort into spotting OBVIOUS cases of abuse such as this? http://www.itv.com/news/2015-02-18/teachers-doctors-and-social-workers-all-missed-repeated-and-explicit-evidence-of-abuse/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 All well and good, but a huge number of parents don't and wouldn't. Perhaps one of the reasons why we have one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the developed world? Well done, that was the subliminal message. Remember parents (& I am one) it is YOUR responsibility to guide and educate your kids beyond the statutory matters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 I am not sure if it will be on the agenda in this part of the UK, the laws are different here regarding some things, same sex marriage and abortion are still illegal here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pegasus bridge Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 They don't do it until year 5 & 6 (10-11 yr olds) I think this is about right, as for the whole gay thing, I don't see what people object for? It's not a choice thing, anymore than being straight is, and what if your kid turns out to be gay? Surely you'd want them to feel accepted (as best they can) at school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh1 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 They don't do it until year 5 & 6 (10-11 yr olds) I think this is about right, as for the whole gay thing, I don't see what people object for? It's not a choice thing, anymore than being straight is, and what if your kid turns out to be gay? Surely you'd want them to feel accepted (as best they can) at school? A good point and it could be the start of a child understanding he/she may be gay and making sense of some of the confused feelings he/she may have,telling Mum and Dad is going to be the hardest thing he/she may do in their teenage years,how you deal with that will decide your relationship with them from that point on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 Makes my blood boil t.b.h. Why can't they let them be kids while they have the chance? Teaching the basic mechanics would be plenty, but not at 5 or 6. What use is there in teaching homosexuality to children? When the time comes to make a decision on your sexuality, something a teacher told you 10+ years ago won't come into it. Schools seem to have their priorities all wrong nowadays. Call me old fashioned but I reckon reading and writing are more important than people's bedroom preferences. you dont decide your sexuality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 How on earth we got to a world population of 7billion without teacher "educating" 5 year old's I will never know, shame the enlightened educational system did not put the same effort into spotting OBVIOUS cases of abuse such as this? http://www.itv.com/news/2015-02-18/teachers-doctors-and-social-workers-all-missed-repeated-and-explicit-evidence-of-abuse/ Paradoxically it is exactly the point that the world population is so massive is because NOT ENOUGH kids are being given sex education. Sex education is not about how to successfully procreate time, and time again, its about giving facts so that children are prepared for the future and know the process and consequences of sex. It is not uncommon for 9 year old girls to start to menstuate, so should they have the facts beforehand or is it better to wait until they're 16? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 (edited) you dont decide your sexuality. what about bi sexuals ? Edited February 18, 2015 by spanj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 what about bi sexuals ? its still not a choice, did you choose whether you like fish and chips or not ?whether you like women or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 (edited) Homosexuality is not only normal, it is important. How else can the Pigeon Watch Cotswold meet be so successful? Edited February 18, 2015 by malkiserow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 its still not a choice, did you choose whether you like fish and chips or not ?whether you like women or not? you've dodged my question, which was what choice has a bisexual made ? For the record, its Chips and women for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted February 18, 2015 Report Share Posted February 18, 2015 you've dodged my question, which was what choice has a bisexual made ? For the record, its Chips and women for me I haven't dodged the question, a bisexual makes no choice, no more than straight people or gay people do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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