Why Plain Talk in Sex Education is Best for Children
Opinion: In the fields of gender, sexuality, and sexual health research, it’s a no-brainer that sex education should start early, and that sex should be discussed often – both in schools and at home. But instead we talk about storks, cabbage patches, and the birds and the bees. In fact, we have a million and one ways to avoid teaching or talking about sex and sexuality. Read full article
Why Do You Need to Know if My Child is Gay?
When one of our children was little (maybe three or four years old) a friend asked me if I thought he was gay. I was taken aback by the question, mainly because I hadn’t even begun to think about my child’s sexuality and I wondered why my friend had. And I was slightly put out. I was reminded of that feeling this weekend when a friend related the frustration of another parent at being constantly asked if her teenage son was gay. Part of me thought – why, would she be embarrassed if he was? – but I could relate to a vague feeling of intrusion. Read full article
Bernard Gaynor Wouldn’t Let a Gay Person Teach His Kids and He’s Not Afraid to Say It
And he is right about the fear factor- there is nothing much to be afraid of – it’s generally safe and in most cases legal to express your views in Australia, no matter how offensive they are to other people…However, I would be afraid and ashamed to live in a country where most people were not offended by Ms Corbett’s equating the protection and granting of rights to gay and lesbian people with granting rights to paedophiles. Read full article
Teenage Love – What Are Your Tips?
On Valentine’s Day we talked about what parents can do if their younger child has a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" or their teenager is in love – Yvette Vignando shared some ideas but we bet you have plenty more. How can parents keep the lines of communucation open about what’s happening with their child’s new romance? And does it matter if a younger child says they have a boyfriend or girlfriend? Watch the video and please let us know what you think? Read full article
International Adoption – from Bhutan to Australia – My Story
Solomon Le Masurier was adopted by Australian Christian missionaries living in Bhutan in the 1980s. In this podcast Solomon shares his adoption story starting with his fostering after his mother’s death when he was two days old. Issues such as cultural and physical difference, adoption counselling and relationships with a biological family are just some of the stories that Solomon generously shares. Podcast available for download. Read full article
A 12 Year Old Drag Queen – Resilience and Fun
A 12 year old boy in UK entertains his village with "Naughty Nora" character. He does it for fun and his friends think it’s cool. Is there really any harm in this? I don’t think so as long as it is entertainment and satire and he is not being dressed up seriously in an overly provocative way. I discuss this with Suzanne Mostyn on The Morning Show and share some tips on raising resilient children. Read full article
A Stiff Conversation with My Boys
"No darling, stiffies aren’t a type of dog." Wednesday is much like any other day around our house, except that Mr 8 has soccer training. So picture me, if you will, perched on the lounge with Mr 8 trying to squeeze his feet into the always-too-tight soccer socks, shove his shin pads in, boots on and get to the ground by 5pm. Then picture me 10 seconds later when Mr 8 asked, "Mummy, do you know what a stiffy is?" Read full article
Glee Star on Cosmopolitan Cover Shot – Is Parental Guidance Required?
Glee star Lea Michele appears on the cover of the March edition of US Cosmopolitan. The actress is apparently 24 years old but plays the role of a teenager in the internationally popular television series Glee. In the news is the reaction by some Texas newsagents who have removed the magazine from display and others who have said that the cover shot is overtly sexual and inappropriate for a celebrity who plays a teenager. The implication is that Lea Michele is also something of a role model for young women who watch Glee. Read full article
Saturday 8 January 2011 Latest Parenting & Education News
Saturday 8 January 2011 – Links to Latest Parenting and Education news: Meditation in School ~ Parental Conflict ~ Sperm Donors ~ Teacher Outcomes ~ Choosing Child’s Gender ~ Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ~ Gay Teenagers ~ Children and Technology ~ New Year Parenting Principles Read full article
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