Appropriate homework for a 10 year old...............???
Discussion
I'm not sure many 9/10 year olds could name a list of inspirational famous people LGBT or not.
My 9 year old could probably name a few historical figures (Roman Emperors, Churchill, a few kings and queens) but he'd struggle to name anybody from contemporary popular culture that could be termed inspirational, let alone one the fell under the LGBT label.
If the assignment was about inspirational Marvel Superheros he'd be fine, although I'm not sure if any of those would fit this particular assignment......
My 9 year old could probably name a few historical figures (Roman Emperors, Churchill, a few kings and queens) but he'd struggle to name anybody from contemporary popular culture that could be termed inspirational, let alone one the fell under the LGBT label.
If the assignment was about inspirational Marvel Superheros he'd be fine, although I'm not sure if any of those would fit this particular assignment......
sc0tt said:
I’ve obviously been living under a rock but just had to google “LGBT”.
I thought it was a sandwich filling.OP, I would have thought your first move would be to find out if this was part of the curriculum, and if so, whether that curriculum was laid down nationally or by the school.
If nationally, then it's a case for your MP. If by the school, then it's a case for the school's board of governors. If it was down to the class teacher alone, then I would say that teacher has a lot to explain.
Roofless Toothless said:
I thought it was a sandwich filling.
OP, I would have thought your first move would be to find out if this was part of the curriculum, and if so, whether that curriculum was laid down nationally or by the school.
If nationally, then it's a case for your MP. If by the school, then it's a case for the school's board of governors. If it was down to the class teacher alone, then I would say that teacher has a lot to explain.
Exactly this, every parent has the right to question a school on what they are subjecting their children to and understand why. Find out what is going on here and why this was asked, it does seem odd to ask a 10 year old this if there is no context around it i.e. being taught something specifically LGBT in the class at the time.OP, I would have thought your first move would be to find out if this was part of the curriculum, and if so, whether that curriculum was laid down nationally or by the school.
If nationally, then it's a case for your MP. If by the school, then it's a case for the school's board of governors. If it was down to the class teacher alone, then I would say that teacher has a lot to explain.
Everyone knows most 10year olds homework is done by the parents so fill your boots.
My opening paragraph would be explaining to the teacher how the term LGBT can be viewed as derogatory and queer is perfectly fine for most also if you have to use a label it should be LBGTI and I’d be answering the question using the most inappropriate one I could find and wait for the call.
My opening paragraph would be explaining to the teacher how the term LGBT can be viewed as derogatory and queer is perfectly fine for most also if you have to use a label it should be LBGTI and I’d be answering the question using the most inappropriate one I could find and wait for the call.
What subject? If it's English it appears to be a very contrived and unnecessary twist, if it's 'sexual home economic awareness and morals' or whatever they call it now then it'll be part of the package.
I think there's a place for learning tolerance in schools, whether that be race, religion or sexuality, and I'm sure there are some knuckle dragging parents who have warped a few minds to be phobic or 'anti', even at that tender age, so I'm not altogether against it, but it is a fairly patronising process when you aren't in any way discriminatory about such things.
Every time I see something like this I have a picture of a drag queen in the high street shouting through a megaphone 'I'm not different'.
I think there's a place for learning tolerance in schools, whether that be race, religion or sexuality, and I'm sure there are some knuckle dragging parents who have warped a few minds to be phobic or 'anti', even at that tender age, so I'm not altogether against it, but it is a fairly patronising process when you aren't in any way discriminatory about such things.
Every time I see something like this I have a picture of a drag queen in the high street shouting through a megaphone 'I'm not different'.
RTB said:
I'm not sure many 9/10 year olds could name a list of inspirational famous people LGBT or not.
My 9 year old could probably name a few historical figures (Roman Emperors, Churchill, a few kings and queens) but he'd struggle to name anybody from contemporary popular culture that could be termed inspirational, let alone one the fell under the LGBT label.
If the assignment was about inspirational Marvel Superheros he'd be fine, although I'm not sure if any of those would fit this particular assignment......
Just thinking of my 8 year old nephew in that situation and I suspect the only person he'd think to name would be his favourite 'YouTuber'. He wouldn't know, and frankly wouldn't care, if that person fit under whatever the current trending acronym is.My 9 year old could probably name a few historical figures (Roman Emperors, Churchill, a few kings and queens) but he'd struggle to name anybody from contemporary popular culture that could be termed inspirational, let alone one the fell under the LGBT label.
If the assignment was about inspirational Marvel Superheros he'd be fine, although I'm not sure if any of those would fit this particular assignment......
Take the LGBT out and it sounds like a great bit of homework to see what qualities children see as inspiring. I suspect if you asked them again a year later you'd get a completely different set of results.
desolate said:
I am surprised people seem to think that 10 year olds don't know LGBT stands for.
There is a big difference between 10 year olds knowing the words, and them understanding what they mean.Unless this is a question as part of a lengthy discussion on LGBT issues, then to make the question about an 'inspirational LGBT person' rather than just an 'inspirational person' is wholly inappropriate.
The Surveyor said:
desolate said:
I am surprised people seem to think that 10 year olds don't know LGBT stands for.
There is a big difference between 10 year olds knowing the words, and them understanding what they mean.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
My kids at 10 wouldn't have known what LGBT meant, but would have certainly understood about homosexuality and same sex relationships. It helps that my best mate is gay, and he and his partner are regular visitors, and us to them, so my boys never really saw anything odd in it.
Yep. I assume this assignment is part of a wider discussion about LGBT, they don't need to know the nitty gritty of any relationship but probably realise some boys like other boys (and other variations on the theme.)Dirty progressive Gen-x'er here.
My dad's family were visiting this past weekend and my 11yo cousin was saying how much she liked Adam Rippon and how he looked the way he did because he was gay and she knew what that meant. It's not beyond reason for young kids to know what these acronyms are/stand for these days given they are ingrained in pop culture/daily media. If a child doesn't know what something means they can ask a parent or adult to explain it; they have to learn it sometime.
And to those saying "oh why single out LGBT?" probably because 99% of kids 0-10 are brought up taught that man/woman is the expected norm and now they are beginning to introduce the idea of there being alternatives. However I do understand that maybe 10 is a year or two too young; however my cousin proves that not all kids will be alien to this.
My dad's family were visiting this past weekend and my 11yo cousin was saying how much she liked Adam Rippon and how he looked the way he did because he was gay and she knew what that meant. It's not beyond reason for young kids to know what these acronyms are/stand for these days given they are ingrained in pop culture/daily media. If a child doesn't know what something means they can ask a parent or adult to explain it; they have to learn it sometime.
And to those saying "oh why single out LGBT?" probably because 99% of kids 0-10 are brought up taught that man/woman is the expected norm and now they are beginning to introduce the idea of there being alternatives. However I do understand that maybe 10 is a year or two too young; however my cousin proves that not all kids will be alien to this.
RTB said:
I'm not sure many 9/10 year olds could name a list of inspirational famous people LGBT or not.
My 9 year old could probably name a few historical figures (Roman Emperors, Churchill, a few kings and queens) but he'd struggle to name anybody from contemporary popular culture that could be termed inspirational, let alone one the fell under the LGBT label.
If the assignment was about inspirational Marvel Superheros he'd be fine, although I'm not sure if any of those would fit this particular assignment......
Green LanternMy 9 year old could probably name a few historical figures (Roman Emperors, Churchill, a few kings and queens) but he'd struggle to name anybody from contemporary popular culture that could be termed inspirational, let alone one the fell under the LGBT label.
If the assignment was about inspirational Marvel Superheros he'd be fine, although I'm not sure if any of those would fit this particular assignment......
parabolica said:
However I do understand that maybe 10 is a year or two too young; however my cousin proves that not all kids will be alien to this.
Why though? They know people are in relationships, they don't need to know what goes on in the bedroom any more than they do with their parents.
We had this conversation with our kids recently when they asked about girlfriends for their (single) uncles and we had to point out one is gay. Oddly enough we didn't say "you know mummy loves daddy, well Uncle loves cock."
I felt a little bit similar when my 8 year old had some Black History Month homework. He was tasked with researching one of the names given on the worksheet and to answer questions about him.
He picked Willie O'Ree, the first black professional Hockey player in Canada. Interesting fellow, no doubt had serious difficulties and oppression to overcome living in North America in the 50's and 60's, travelling around as a professional sportsman and receiving no end of racial abuse.
How do I context that to an 8 year old? If you read the simple facts, a man became a pro hockey player through adversity (90% blind in one eye) and was inspirational to young people to this day. Now, why would we be scoping in the categorisation of this man as 'black' to kids at such a young age? My son doesn't see these categories, he sees individuals. He can't understand what oppression, racism and the views of the people of those years were. One of his closest mates is black and his uncle is gay, do you think he even notices? Or cares?
In my opinion, there's no harm in learning about people overcoming adversity to succeed, but when it's put through the lense of these categories to such young children all it does is shine a light on them being different because they can't underatand the context. Instead the people they learn about should all be celebrated as individuals.
He picked Willie O'Ree, the first black professional Hockey player in Canada. Interesting fellow, no doubt had serious difficulties and oppression to overcome living in North America in the 50's and 60's, travelling around as a professional sportsman and receiving no end of racial abuse.
How do I context that to an 8 year old? If you read the simple facts, a man became a pro hockey player through adversity (90% blind in one eye) and was inspirational to young people to this day. Now, why would we be scoping in the categorisation of this man as 'black' to kids at such a young age? My son doesn't see these categories, he sees individuals. He can't understand what oppression, racism and the views of the people of those years were. One of his closest mates is black and his uncle is gay, do you think he even notices? Or cares?
In my opinion, there's no harm in learning about people overcoming adversity to succeed, but when it's put through the lense of these categories to such young children all it does is shine a light on them being different because they can't underatand the context. Instead the people they learn about should all be celebrated as individuals.
Let me preface by saying that I am not for one second a vehement supporter of the recent surge in 'gender neutrality' and likewise, but I think a lot of people in this thread are entirely behind the times.
I'm confident that whilst they may not partake in romance, your average 10 year old is quite familiar with the concept of a man and a woman being in 'love,' and that'll be their status quo. I'd suggest that they probably won't have the same thought of two men/two women.
The assignment isn't asking them to draw pictures of two women mid-intercourse, nor does it give a monkeys about the individual they choose. It's just designed for them to ask the question. Then, before any judgement or prejudice has the chance to develop in the coming years, it just becomes a fact of the world that they're used to.
A lot of you are viewing it from the point of them being indoctrinated, or having to be convinced that LGBT is normal etc, but you're looking at it from your perspective, not theirs. It's not an argument or discussion to be had, it's just giving them a piece of information.
I imagine the 'point' of the conversation would be along the lines of;
Teacher: Class, you're going to write a piece about a LGBT person.......
Pupil: What's LGBT?
Teacher/parent: Well sometimes a man and a woman love each other, like your mum and dad. And sometimes two men or two women love each other etc
Pupil: (Doesn't give the slightest toss as has no preconceptions) Alright then.
And then that's their starting point on their world view.
I'm confident that whilst they may not partake in romance, your average 10 year old is quite familiar with the concept of a man and a woman being in 'love,' and that'll be their status quo. I'd suggest that they probably won't have the same thought of two men/two women.
The assignment isn't asking them to draw pictures of two women mid-intercourse, nor does it give a monkeys about the individual they choose. It's just designed for them to ask the question. Then, before any judgement or prejudice has the chance to develop in the coming years, it just becomes a fact of the world that they're used to.
A lot of you are viewing it from the point of them being indoctrinated, or having to be convinced that LGBT is normal etc, but you're looking at it from your perspective, not theirs. It's not an argument or discussion to be had, it's just giving them a piece of information.
I imagine the 'point' of the conversation would be along the lines of;
Teacher: Class, you're going to write a piece about a LGBT person.......
Pupil: What's LGBT?
Teacher/parent: Well sometimes a man and a woman love each other, like your mum and dad. And sometimes two men or two women love each other etc
Pupil: (Doesn't give the slightest toss as has no preconceptions) Alright then.
And then that's their starting point on their world view.
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