My 8yr old son is in a class with 9-10yr olds who apparently go around calling all the younger children `g*y`.

Question

He askes what means, of course - we are from a sheltered farm environment in Africa, where such issues are not relevant, I´ve had to explain more why people die so frequently and why so many children are on the streets - how do i explain what it means?

Answer 1

Oh dear....my friend had this with her child using the word....the child did not know what it meant just that it was meant as an insult....tell him the original meaning of the word "Happy" and then tell him that some people now use it to describe a man who doesnt have a girlfriend because he like having other men as his close friends....say that it is fine to be that way and his friends are silly for using the term as an insult.....

Answer 2

I would just keep it as undetailed as possible.  Only answer the questions he asks truthfully, but vaguely.  Too much info might be overwhelming for a boy this age.  They are still curious and just want to know simple facts @ this point.  When my kids started asking what that was I just told them it is when a boy likes a boy or a girl likes a girl, but it is wrong and God put us here for the boys and the girls to get together.  You can be more detailed as he gets older, but I would just begin with the basics.

I'm not sure what the laws are there, but have you considered homeschooling?  Of course, you will need to find some great  activities that will keep your son involved in the community and not subject him to this oppression.  Problems like this are a huge distraction to a child's education.  It will eventually discourage him and he will get frustrated with school and the learning process.

My help comes from the Lord and my relationship with Him.  Raising children is terrifying and I didn't always do it with Him.  I was failing as a parent and my child was suffering for it.  He created us and he really does know best for us and these precious gifts (our children) he has placed in our care.  Seems a little crazy that He would place such a fragile responsibility on us.  He did and he says that one child will account for a thousand generations.  You are not just raising an 8 year old, but future generations, too!  Here is a link that I have found helpful.  I hope this helps!

Answer 3

I understand what you are going through with your son my son is going through the same thing my son is 14 years old the best thing to do is to keep him active in sports and yes tell him what it means and please put him in self defense like krav mega that will help his is esteem.

Answer 4

You dont have to... the kids calling him it would have no idea either.

My 9 year old has just started calling everything he doesn't like "g*y".  When I asked him what it meant he just said "strange or unusual"  

I have counselled him against using the word...but not really made a big deal of it... because that will make a big deal of it for him...

Just sit back and see how it goes for a while.

Answer 5

gawd just tell him straight out when a man likes a man there called g*y and tell him not to use the word duh!

Answer 6

If the children use the term as a slur then it has relevance.  You should tell him it is a term for men who love men but it is not a bad thing.  And that those kids are being impolite and rude and that he does not want to be like them.

This use of the word came from the American television show "SouthPark".  The show is full of many vulgaraties and potty humor.  It was quickly picked up by bullies and other feeble-minded people.

Answer 7

Just tell Him You'll tell Him when He's older.

Answer 8

it's something ignorant people say to make them feel better about their self

Answer 9

let him know what it is

Answer 10

Im 14 and i know what youre son is going through.

Tell youre son that those kids are reflecting themselves to him

and stop bullying.

its silly why a kid would call a little kid g*y, it is the silliest remark ever, im sure youre 8yr old would not have even learnt homosexuality yet and neather the 10 or 11yr olds

"g*y' also means happiness.

if someone calls me g*y, i replie "Yea im pretty happy, what about you?" it worked for me.

Answer 11

Sometimes God makes people where they are 'special' than other people.

They are special because the boys like boys and the girls like girls. Of course if you are homosexual, I accept the fact and am always here for you.

Answer 12

tell him not to listen to him

goodluck

=]

Answer 13

I hate that!  I teach high school and everything these days seems to be "g*y".  I think he's old enough so I would tell him that it means when a man is in love with another man or a woman is in love with another woman BUT that many, many, many kids use it as a way to call something "uncool" or "silly, stupid" or just "not fun"...  I would also tell him that it's used often by people that lack a better vocabulary and that's the only word they can think of...so smarter kids don't really use it

Answer 14

You must be glad your son is smart enough to be in a older class by the way (: but there are two meanings to g*y. g*y in you no what or g*y in happiness. If your child is involved in this situation tell the teacher to swap classes in a more relevant class. Which doesn't have children calling such un decent names.

Answer 15

Tell him it is when two women or two men love eachother like a man and a woman love eachother.

Answer 16

Around that age a lot of kids use the words "g*y" as if it's cool. Many don't even fully understand what they are saying.

I think you should just tell him straight about it. Don't be biased or anything, just tell him this is what happens sometimes, sometimes people are different etc.

Answer 17

this is a bullying tactic they have realised that the word g*y

could fuel a negative response and use it to their advantage

but you could explain without lying that this word also has a happy outlook and try that but you must not seem to rise to the incident as this will only put doubt in his mind

Answer 18

Tell him that "g*y" is a term that kids use because they think it makes them look cool. It's used to describe boys who like boys or girls who like girls, but the bigger kids are just being stupid, so he should ignore them.

  If he can't ignore them, let him ask them if they even know what that word means....he might be surprised at their answers!

Answer 19

I had to explain it to my step kids, they understood very well.  I told them sometimes 2 men fall in love or 2 women fall in love and have a relationship, i explained it is not wrong it just what feels right for them and thats what makes them happy.  That is the way god made them.  My step kids were very mature about it they are 8 and 9, just make sure you tell them in a way they understand and they learn not to judge.

Answer 20

Dont have to say what it means you could just say. (g*y is a word that bullies use JUST to get the other kids upset,)

g*y means happy too

Answer 21

Just tell him what it means. It means a boy who loves a boy. Let him know there is nothing wrong with being g*y but its not nice to call people that. The kids that are calling him that also sometimes use it is they think somebody is not cool. I have been called g*y beofre by a bunch of guys at school. And since g*y also means happy, i just say "Yes,I am very happy." then I walk away. Hope this helped!

-Tara

Answer 22

tell him it means happy and wait to tell him the 2nd meaning until l8r in is life... you can also telll the teacher to watch the children and what they are saying.... or tell your son to respond yeah i guess i am a happy person.