Mothers, would you let your child read this book, or would you read it to them?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080506/ap_en_ot/challenged_books

Why or why not?

Answer 1

How old is your child? A lot of children are faced with this situation in schools nowadays. I wouldn't read it to a young child unless he/she is curious about it, or possibly has a classmate with same s*x parents.

If it is a book that is available to your child through the school library, the administration should be made aware of its contents. Believe me, as a former teacher, most principals and superintendents haven't a clue as to what is in the library. The librarian is responsible for the contents of the library and needs to make the administration aware of any book that might be controversial, especially with younger children.

Personally, I would not want my child to read it alone, especially a young child. I would want to be able to discuss it as it was read and answer any questions they might have.

Answer 2

interesting. I don't think it would be a book i would seek out. However if she got it from the school library or local library I would not censor it. I teach my daughter who is 8 there are all kinds of families. Some children have both parents some have 1 parent, some have black mommy and white daddy, some have 2 mommies. Never thought of 2 daddies but sure some may have 2 daddy's . I want her to grow up to be accept all lifestyles. although i hope she chooses to have a so called normal lifestyle of man and woman.

Answer 3

I am such a big penguin fan. I am shocked to think that the hockey team has g*y players. How am supposed to take my kids to the games anymore???

Answer 4

I would. it's a cute and light hearted book.

Homosexuality is now part of life, and I'm pro g*y marriage. it's never too soon to start teaching a child tolerance.

Answer 5

I would absolutely read this to my kids... I havent picked it up yet but I have read similar books to my kids... like the king and the king. I think its important for children to grow up understanding the world around them and to have a braod view of the world with respect for all peoples of all walks of life.

My kids are 4 and under and they are already aware of the different types of families that are out there as they have been exposed to many differnt kinds. My best friend is a g*y male and married (we live in Massachusetts) and I was a surrogate mother for their first child. So my kids have grown up around that type of atmosphere. I really wouldnt have it any other way and am proud that my kids can understand when they see two men or two women raising a child or a heterosexual couple raising an adopted child of another race. I wouldnt blame someone who is uncomfortable with reading this book to their kids, its all personal choice. I just know that for me and my kids it was certainly a good choice for us.

Answer 6

I would have to actually read the book to decide. I wouldn't not read it because of the homosexuality, but I would make that decision based on how informative it was, how confusing it was, and how graphic it was.

Answer 7

I would have to actually read the book to decide. I wouldn't not read it because of the homosexuality, but I would make that decision based on how informitive it was, how confusing it was, and how graphic it was.

Answer 8

Sure, I'd let my child read this book. When they were old enough to read it for themselves, that is. If you're reading this book TO a child, they aren't old enough to understand or even grasp what it's about, let alone grasp the moral end of it.

Even if you don't believe in homosexuality, it's a part of our culture, so we have to educate our children about it. I don't see anything wrong with it, and actually think more states should allow same s*x adoptions. There are so many children that need good homes...but I won't get started on that.

I'd rather my child understand homosexuality, and have me explain it to them, than for them to see two men or two women holding hands and be confused or say something rude. So yes, I'd definitely let my child read this book. And I disagree with the people who believe this book shouldn't be in libraries (the ones in the article). It doesn't tell children it's "okay" or that it's "acceptable". It does, however, let children understand that there are other ways of life than their own. Maybe there would be less children with same s*x parents who are social outcasts and teased and picked on and bullied, if children were taught at a young age exactly what it is, not just whether it's right or wrong.

Answer 9

This book would not be in my house at all. I would not allow my children to read it nor would I read it to them. At some point, homoesexuality and lesbianism would have to be discussed b/c it is becoming more prevalent but there is no reason to open my home and my children's eyes to wickedness in the form of a "cute" book. I think it is wrong.

Answer 10

I'd have to read it first and see how the story is, but I wouldn't really have a problem reading and discussing it with my children. Homosexuality is a reality  whether we approve of it or not and I believe in talking to my children about everything they are wondering about.

Answer 11

this is so funny i was talking about this book with my 13 yr old daughter this morning and i wouldnt have a problem reading it to my grandkids or buying the book just to check it out it doesnt say much about what the book is about but with todays society homosexuality is always a negitive and that simply isnt true to each their own i suppose but its some ppls way of life so why put them down or judge them? g**s are ppl too and some of them make wonderful parents i know 2 g*y families and their kids are just fine and live a normal life and to the shallow folks on here i dont care if i get thumbs down this is how i think maybe more ppl should have an open mind and the world wouldnt be so screwed up ppl need to focus on hunger,poverty,sexual abuse, and drugs etc etc and leave the g*y parents alone!! my opinion sorry

Answer 12

I would. Homosexuality is part of life these days. It's not going to harm the child, in fact it will educate them and help them except it.

We need more pple that can except this way of life then those who are ignorant and can't.

I want my daughter to accept pple the way they are, not the way some pple "think" they should be.

Answer 13

Yes, partially because I am pro g*y Marriage (my sister in law is g*y) and partially because even if I weren't it still exists in our world, it is something she will have to learn about and deal with eventually I would rather I teach her and teach her to accept people for who they are not who they love rather than be afraid or angry with people for their life.  I am going to sound hypocritical, I do WANT my child to be g*y (if she is I would accept her gf lovingly) but that doesn't mean I want that, I want her to find a good man and have children with him, but that is because that is what I got, and it seems more "normal" to me and makes sense, but that doesn't mean the other side isn't just as real... I just don't fully understand it, doesn't mean I can't support it or teach it...

sorry kind of long winded... this is a passionate subject for me

Answer 14

I've in fact already read it to my kids.

I believe teaching tolerance is one of the very important jobs of any parent.  The penguins are just a bonus.  :-)

Answer 15

As another poster said if they are old enough to read it themselves then yes I would allow them to read it and explain anything i could as far as questions they may have but it is not something I would pick up to read to them.

Homosexuality is becoming  more and more a part of life for kids today.  Even in the small community we live in i know of at least three g*y couples and they are all wonderful people.  One couple is actually raising his sisters son after she was killed in a wreck.  This child is only a year younger than my son so before long I am sure the questions will start to arrise and a book like that might help.

I want my kids to know that you accept people for who they are inside and not what they look like, what they have or whether they are straight or g*y.  If they have a g*y friend in life fine if they themselves led that lifestyle they would still be my child and I would still love them no matter what.

Answer 16

I haven't seen every page of the book, so I don't know if they are really saying that the 2 penguins are having a g*y relationship.

My 2 year old daughter loves penguins, and I am tolerant of g*y relationships, but I don't think I'd read the book to my daughter, just because I don't think she would grasp the meaning of the story.  

When she gets older, and IF the book addresses g*y relationships, I would choose NOT to read the book to her.

I'd have to actually read the book myself first.

I believe that this book is in the news probably by the request of the publisher, in order to boost publicity and sell more books, so I tend to not pay attention to the news stories.  Free advertising, really.

Answer 17

A book to be read, not to have read to.  Reading it to a child makes it more important than it is.  It should be treated like any other book.

Answer 18

I would read this book with my child and discuss any questions they might have.  You can not leave your child in the dark about things that a part of life.  You may not agree with everything but going blindly through life is sad.  Heck you might even learn something yourself too

Answer 19

I wouldn't buy my children the book but because it doesn't apply to our lives at this point.  But books are a great way to explain things in Childrens terms.  When my son was first diagnosed with OCD, books that were for his age (6 y/o) really helped him.  To know there were people like that out there and it was going to be ok.

Answer 20

As a father I would not...My daughter is 7 and that is not a conversation that needs to had at this point in her life...