Educating Children Of Homosexual Parents

[p0lar_bear]

Should a Catholic school accept a child whose parents are practicing homosexuals?

Please support your answer and please, let's keep this clean.

[kateri05]

such a good question in today's world... please someone correct me if i'm in disagreement with the Church, but my gut reaction would be yes. We have never had a "visit the sins of the parents on the children" mentality and honestly, the best place to learn the truth of human sexuality and the theology of the body would be in a catholic school (well it should, if its an orthodox school ). i know that homosexual parents can have their children baptized in the Church because the kids aren't the ones doing anything wrong and therefore, should not be denied the graces of God through the sacraments (although i guess you could argue that the ability of the parents to raise their children in the faith would be inpaired.. i just remember reading an article about a homosexual male couple adopting triplets and having them baptized in KY)
so yes, my answer to the question is yes, to get back on topic

[toledo_jesus]

Considering that most Catholic schools don't exclusively hire Catholic teachers, I wouldn't see a problem with it. However, what they learn at home will be counter to what they learn at school.

Edited August 26, 2004 by toledo_jesus

[kateri05]

[quote name='toledo_jesus' date='Aug 26 2004, 01:20 PM'] Considering that most Catholic schools don't exclusively hire Catholic teachers, I wouldn't see a problem with it. However, what they learn at home will be counter to what they learn at school. [/quote]
that's true but shouldn't the school be working to counter the counter? maybe developing programs to meet this very need?

[toledo_jesus]

but then why would a homosexual send their children to a school that will tell them their daddies are wrong? Unless they are self-laothing yet continue to engage in their sin...which I suppose is understandable.

[kateri05]

[quote name='toledo_jesus' date='Aug 26 2004, 01:23 PM'] but then why would a homosexual send their children to a school that will tell them their daddies are wrong? Unless they are self-laothing yet continue to engage in their sin...which I suppose is understandable. [/quote]
good point! that actually is my first question; ie. is this actually a problem?

[p0lar_bear]

[quote name='kateri05' date='Aug 26 2004, 03:28 PM'] good point! that actually is my first question; ie. is this actually a problem? [/quote]
Actually, yes. There is one school in California that refused to enroll a girl whose mother is living with her partner and they are raising the daughter as mothers. There was a big ta-do when she was denied. I've heard of at least one other case (in this case, they accepted the child).

[kateri05]

polarbear, what do YOU think?

[p0lar_bear]

You know, I'm not entirely sure.

On one hand, it could be the source of scandal, particularly if in accepting the child the school gives the impression that the parents' lifestyle is acceptable.

On the other hand, if a school doesn't accept the children of homosexual parents, should they then not accept children whose parents are divorced and remarried without the benefit of an annulment or whose parents use contraception?

If the child is accepted, it needs to be made clear that the child will be taught that homosexual relationships are wrong. There can be no compromise on that, with the parents or the child.

[reelguy227]

I agree and I disagree ,the child shouldnt be not allowed a good Catholic education but on the other hand by enrolling the child it shows that the diocese supports the parents sinful lifetstyle .I dont know ,Im two sided on this issue.Actually it would all depend on what the Church says about this ,Id rather follow their opinion.

[toledo_jesus]

I agree that if a child is accepted the parents should have full knowledge that their children will be taught Catholic precepts.
In that sense, I do feel it would be wrong to deny admittance to people who actually sought a Catholic education. Do you suppose a profession of faith would be appropriate, to weed out the people who aren't serious about giving their children this type of education?

Edited August 26, 2004 by toledo_jesus

[kateri05]

[quote name='p0lar_bear' date='Aug 26 2004, 01:44 PM'] You know, I'm not entirely sure.

On one hand, it could be the source of scandal, particularly if in accepting the child the school gives the impression that the parents' lifestyle is acceptable.

On the other hand, if a school doesn't accept the children of homosexual parents, should they then not accept children whose parents are divorced and remarried without the benefit of an annulment or whose parents use contraception?

If the child is accepted, it needs to be made clear that the child will be taught that homosexual relationships are wrong. There can be no compromise on that, with the parents or the child. [/quote]
its certainly possible to accept them withOUT giving the impression of acceptance of lifestyle. i think its harder than the issue of contraceptive using parents which is unknowable unless volunteered and than the divorced parents issue because it is, in a sense, correctable, if an anullment is saught.
i truly think some kind of program/philosophy needs to be devised for educators to handle this issue, because the children need to be taught that what their parents are doing is wrong but how to love them anyways. how to do that, well, ya got me!

[kateri05]

[quote name='reelguy227' date='Aug 26 2004, 01:47 PM'] Actually it would all depend on what the Church says about this ,Id rather follow their opinion. [/quote]
me too anyone know what it is?

[picchick]

I think that the school should accept the child with the "love the person, hate the sin" philosphy. It is a tough situation though because like some of you said some people may see it as a "the Church is o.k.ing their life style" thing.

However, I don't think they should turn the kid away seeing that it isn't the kid's fault.

[RandomProddy]

"Honour thy father and thy mother".

[toledo_jesus]

what if you have two mothers or two fathers? which one do you honor?

sorry, that was cheeky. But does that commandment mean that you don't confront your parents when they are engaged in something that bad?

Edited August 26, 2004 by toledo_jesus

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I don't think anyone should be denied admittance to a Catholic school because of their parents. Afterall, the education may change the way they think.

[p0lar_bear]

Possible questions---

How do you explain the situation to the other children? For example, if Johnny has two mothers, how do you tell your child they can't go over to Johnny's to play?

Also, do you allow the two mothers to take their turn with parent projects (such as bringing snacks or helping in the classroom, as some schools do)?

[kateri05]

[quote name='p0lar_bear' date='Aug 26 2004, 03:27 PM'] Possible questions---

How do you explain the situation to the other children? For example, if Johnny has two mothers, how do you tell your child they can't go over to Johnny's to play?

Also, do you allow the two mothers to take their turn with parent projects (such as bringing snacks or helping in the classroom, as some schools do)? [/quote]
thats a rough one.. in terms of homosexual "parents" participating in classrooms, it should only be permitted to the extent that they in no way advertise or promote their lifestyle, which is sinful according to catholic teaching. i dont know if that is possible and if not, unfortunately, i guess they shouldn't be allowed IN the classroom (sending in snacks would be different).

its so hard because the kids just end up so confused in any situation, even if they DONT go to catholic school.

[picchick]

These may seem like silly stupid questions to other people but they aren't to me. What will happen in the classroom when these questions occur?

What these questions come from a young child? Like in kidergarten through 3 grade? How do you explain this to the child at his level? Younger kids are not mature enough for this topic on this type of level. How do you explain the whole situation in the light of morality without going over their heads and without condemning the child?

And if you were to say, "Well every child has a mommy and a daddy." (because that is the only way a child can be produced) what do you say for that child?


[quote]How do you explain the situation to the other children?[/quote]
Exactly.
An Example happening that I made up.
[quote]Also, do you allow the two mothers to take their turn with parent projects (such as bringing snacks or helping in the classroom, as some schools do)? [/quote]

"Tomorrow is Tommy's Mom's turn to make a snack."-teacher
"Which mom should I have make the snack?"-tommy
kids bicker "hehehe too moms??" "freak" so on
What is the teacher suppose to say?
"Children that is not right. It is wrong to make fun of Tommy."
o.k. "But Tommy has two mommies. He doesn't have a dad like we do. Why is that Miss. Timberal?"
"Well..."
What is she going to say? How do explain it?
My old school use to have a daddy-daughter dance.
Kimmy has two daddies. What now?


You'll have to admit. Kids are going to make fun of the kid. How do you prevent it?
Kateri is right with limiting the involvment as to not advertise. But how would a school do that without bringing discrimination things into the picture.

This is a tough sad situation.