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As LGBT issues rise to the forefront of socio-political issues, it’s only a matter of time before your child begins to ask questions about homosexuality. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure that those questions are answered honestly, respectfully, and in a way that your child will understand. Below are some suggestions on how to talk to your kids about homosexuality based on their age.
Preschoolers
While children this young aren’t likely to understand the concept of sex and physical attraction yet, they do understand the terms “mommy and daddy.” Therefore, try offering an explanation along the lines of, “Most children grow up with a daddy and a mommy, while other children grow up with two mommies or two daddies. Some people think it’s ‘icky’ to have two mommies or two daddies because it’s different. But there’s nothing wrong with being different.”
School-age children
By this age, most children are familiar with the term “crush.” Try explaining to your child that, “Sometimes a boy has a crush on a girl and sometimes a girl has a crush on a boy. Other times, a boy may have a crush on a boy or a girl may have a crush on a girl. Either way is perfectly normal and as you get older, you’ll decide whether you like boys, girls, or both.”
Teenagers:
At this stage, it’s appropriate to explain that homosexuality is not a choice. Some people are born attracted to members of the same sex and they can’t change it anymore than a person can change their skin color or eye color. It’s also worth mentioning that intercourse isn’t always meant for reproduction. While it’s biologically impossible for two members of the same sex to procreate, a homosexual couple may still engage in sexual acts for emotional and physical reasons. You should also make it a point to mention that homosexual people are just as worthy of love and respect as heterosexual people.”
Parents: what other suggestions do you have in regards to how to talk to your kids about homosexuality? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!