TALKING to your child about homosexualityshould take place as early as the child begins to show interest in his/her sexuality or as soon as they begin to ask pertinent questions on the matter. Talking about it is just as important as talking to them about sex.
Remember the rules:
. Relax. This will make the child feel comfortable in talking to you but more importantly, help him/her to feel as though she/he isn't getting a lecture. Children hate lectures.
. Never use any derogatory or homophobic remarks. This will only teach your children that it is acceptable to discriminate against people.
. Take it slow. Rushing through the conversation will result in your kids missing the whole point of the conversation.
. Since you cannot predict when children will ask questions about homosexuality or same-sex relationships, it is good to think about it ahead of time.
. Choose age-appropriate language. Use words that the child will understand at his/her age.
. Encourage your child to ask questions. You want to be sure your child understands what you are saying. When speaking to a younger child, at the end of the conversation ask him/her things like, "Do you know what it means to be homosexual or gay?"
. Respond cautiously. Be sure that your answer will not alienate him or lead him to believe you would love him any differently if he/she were gay.
What to say:
. When you talk to children about moral issues like this, explain that people believe different things, then tell them your beliefs.
. Explain what homosexuality is as simple as you can.
. If you are against the belief, tell the child why, you may even need Bible scriptures to explain why you think it is wrong.
. It will also be important to explain the reproductive system and why you believe men and women are different, therefore giving a clearer understanding of why a man and woman are compatible.
. If however, you do not have a problem with homosexuality, explain to the child why you do, while also explaining why others are against it.
also see a preview of a 1994 controversial book called "It's Perfectly Normal"
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1 comments:
This isn't a bad place to start at all. I wish there was more of this kind of information out there, for Jamaican parents to learn from.
We have to bear in mind that anything published in the print media (Gleaner/ Observer) reaches only a small- typically more affluent segment of Jamaican society, while huge swathes- and the ones most likely to lynch gay men and women- go uninformed.
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