Australia : Children to be taught 'heterosexuality not the norm'

Good news?

http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17709.html

Australian school children are to be told that heterosexuality is not the norm, according to a new education department pilot program called Proud Schools, reports LifeSiteNews.com.

Heterosexism is one of the evils that the Proud Schools program is intended to stamp out, along with homophobia and transphobia, education officials have said. According to the minutes from the Proud Schools steering committee on March 22, 2011, the program focuses on reversing the dominance of heterosexism rather than on homophobia.

The program defines heterosexism as the practice of positioning heterosexuality as the norm for human relationship, according to the Proud Schools Consultation Report. It involves ignoring, making invisible or discriminating against non-heterosexual people, their relationships and their interests. Heterosexism feeds homophobia.

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

the_bi99man

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

the_bi99man

It's not about teaching that Heterosexuality is not the norm but rather not teaching that it is. It sounds more like a plan to remove concepts of what is and is not normal. If you teach 'X' is normal then 'Y' could be viewed and treated as abnormal. It's an anti-bullying campaign. It seems to me more like the opposite of brainwashing, It allows children to assess the world and make their own choices rather then towing the societal preconceptions.

[QUOTE="the_bi99man"]

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

mattisgod01

It's not about teaching that Heterosexuality is not the norm but rather not teaching that it is. It sounds more like a plan to remove concepts of what is and is not normal. If you teach 'X' is normal then 'Y' could be viewed and treated as abnormal. It's an anti-bullying campaign. It seems to me more like the opposite of brainwashing, It allows children to assess the world and make their own choices rather then towing the societal preconceptions.

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

the_bi99man

[QUOTE="mattisgod01"]

[QUOTE="the_bi99man"]

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

LJS9502_basic

It's not about teaching that Heterosexuality is not the norm but rather not teaching that it is. It sounds more like a plan to remove concepts of what is and is not normal. If you teach 'X' is normal then 'Y' could be viewed and treated as abnormal. It's an anti-bullying campaign. It seems to me more like the opposite of brainwashing, It allows children to assess the world and make their own choices rather then towing the societal preconceptions.

[QUOTE="mattisgod01"]

[QUOTE="the_bi99man"]

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

LJS9502_basic

It's not about teaching that Heterosexuality is not the norm but rather not teaching that it is. It sounds more like a plan to remove concepts of what is and is not normal. If you teach 'X' is normal then 'Y' could be viewed and treated as abnormal. It's an anti-bullying campaign. It seems to me more like the opposite of brainwashing, It allows children to assess the world and make their own choices rather then towing the societal preconceptions.

Maybe it is just politically correct, Maybe it's worth implementing. Either way it is just a pilot program at this stage being implemented in just 12 schools. So the Title of the article is rather misleading as it is by no means Education policy in Australia, At least not at this time.

Normally a program like this would work if they took a neutral stance on heterosexuality but instead they try to get rid of it by making heterosexuality the minority. I feel sorry for people who think this is an unbiased decision made by a school program.

Media is getting to peoples heads.shadowchronicle

Concurred ;D

Sacrificing logic and science in name of pushing some agenda is never a good idea. Children should be taught tolerance, not ignorance.

I have no issue with this.

lol "Christian Telegraph"

Sacrificing logic and science in name of pushing some agenda is never a good idea. Children should be taught tolerance, not ignorance.

AdrianWerner

Media is getting to peoples heads. shadowchronicle

Agreed. For example, the headline is ridiculous and misleading. Australian children won't be taught that heterosexuality is not the norm.

This isn't even a country-wide policy - it's a system that 12 state schools in one of the states are trying out, most likely following on from the 'feminist victory' that the Prime Minister had over the opposition leader a few weeks ago (except that the PM doesn't actually support gay marriage, so...confusing, much).

Hell, this is the first I've heard of this and I live in Australia. Whatever it is, it isn't a particularly important issue.

Normally a program like this would work if they took a neutral stance on heterosexuality but instead they try to get rid of it by making heterosexuality the minority. I feel sorry for people who think this is an unbiased decision made by a school program. shadowchronicle

It doesn't look like they're making heterosexuality the minority, or attacking heterosexuality in any way.
They're simply not promoting heterosexuality as strongly as they normally would in the heteronormative world (thus letting people make up their own minds?), and they're teaching some gender studies ideas at a much younger age (which sounds like an excellent idea - it might cut down on a whole lot of the ignorance that underpins homophobia?).

The idea is to stamp out gender discrimination. If that's all it is, then it sounds great to me (even though it doesn't even directly concern me, as a straight guy).

Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

Teaching kids gender equality leads to pedophilia? :P

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

the_bi99man

But I'm pretty sure the word there is referred to as something that is the majority and also considered good/right/permissible (as opposed to other things that arent permissible).

You were right up till the "That's a scientific fact" part since it is mathemtically accurate to say that heterosexuality is the norm. But procreation is irrelevant.

Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

But it clearly is the norm, though

So

pretty silly/10

Would be much more sensible just to teach kids that just because something isn't normal doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it

That article is obviously incredibly biased and intentionally misleading.

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]Next stop, pedophilia.Teenaged

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

Sacrificing logic and science in name of pushing some agenda is never a good idea. Children should be taught tolerance, not ignorance.

AdrianWerner

I really like that quote....

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

[QUOTE="the_bi99man"]

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.

Teenaged

But I'm pretty sure the word there is referred to as something that is the majority and also considered good/right/permissible (as opposed to other things that arent permissible).

You were right up till the "That's a scientific fact" part since it is mathemtically accurate to say that heterosexuality is the norm. But procreation is irrelevant.

Would be much more sensible just to teach kids that just because something isn't normal doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it

MannyDelgado

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]Think before you post.

Aljosa23

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

Another man's a$$ hole

Another man's a$$ hole

Zaibach

Wow. Seriously? I mean, I've got nothing against homosexuals, when they're consenting adults. But, heterosexuality IS the norm. That's a scientific fact, and it's kind of how procreation of the species works. Teaching kids otherwise is straight up brainwashing. Well, I guess we'll see Australia's population drop off like a cliff in the next couple generations.the_bi99man

[QUOTE="Zaibach"]

Another man's a$$ hole

Aljosa23

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

lol slippery slope fallacy.

I dont believe it. They might teach that being open minded and tolerance of other people with different beliefs is a good thing. But they wont try to teach that being heterosexual is somehow a bad thing.. since it's obviously the way we are meant to procreate and keep our species going.Rattlesnake_8

That's not the intention, It is to remove an idea of 'Normality'. The antonym of Normal is Abnormal. People, Especially children would associate the abnormal as being wrong or less valid, Hence the rate of bullying in school. Natural can be a synonym of Normal potentially making Abnormal synonymous with Unnatural. While we would all agree (Well most of us) that Homosexuality is not unnatural, Many of us would still consider it Abnormal in the context of varying from the average. Normal can be a very loaded word with many varying definitions, Many of them are associated with superiority or correctness thus making the antonym derogatory. If the intention of this program is to avoid implementing concepts of normality in children potentially preventing discrimination, intolerance and bullying of those who vary from the average then i don't see a problem.

They are simply reducing the superiority Heterosexuality holds in it's conception, Not in it's rate., Children are more then capable of figuring out what the majority of people's sexual preference is regardless. Removing any emphasis in schools will not be detrimental in any way. Believing that Homosexuality is inferior is however detrimental, It instills bigotry in children that could carry into their adult life and translate into other subjects that vary from the Normal.

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

There is a clear distinction, Homosexuality it only legal under the same laws that Heterosexuality is. Homosexual rape is still rape, It must be consensual and It must be conducted within the same age restrictions applying to heterosexuals. Pedophilia is illegal becuase it is child abuse. We do not deem children to be able to give consent until a certain age. How would Homosexuality reduce the victimization of Pedophilia?

What would be better is if nobody made anything normal or not normal. Just like people of all skin colors exist, non-white people are not "not the norm", or vice versa. Just let everyone be, stop tacking labels and parameters to everything.XilePrincess

the headline... Australian children won't be taught that heterosexuality is not the norm.Planeforger

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]Next stop, pedophilia.leeveeu

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

I'm sure some groups have lobbied in favor of many things. Lets all then make stupid "next stop: ________" posts.

[QUOTE="Aljosa23"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"] No, you do that. Same reasoning used to validate homosexuality is used to validate pedophilia, they've even done congresses about it. Google is your friend.

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

Zaibach

Another man's a$$ hole

Sweet another hilarious Onion artic.....OH SHI-

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]Think before you post.

Teenaged

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

I'm sure some groups have lobbied in favor of many things. Lets all then make stupid "next stop: ________" posts.

[QUOTE="Teenaged"]

[QUOTE="leeveeu"] No, you do that. Same reasoning used to validate homosexuality is used to validate pedophilia, they've even done congresses about it. Google is your friend.

LE: Just because you choose not to believe something is happening doesn't make it go away.

leeveeu

I'm sure some groups have lobbied in favor of many things. Lets all then make stupid "next stop: ________" posts.

...you'll get over it.