It was a moment that makes most parents blanch. My friend was playing with her three-year-old daughter when she suddenly looked up and smiling, said: "I love you mummy. In fact, I love you so much I'm going to marry you when I grow up."
A pause. "Mummy, can girls get married to each other?" My friend replied "Yes, they can in some countries." "Can boys kiss each other too then?" "Yes, if they want to". Another pause. "That's alright then."
I was pleased my friend dealt with this sensitively and positively. I think it's an issue many adults have trouble dealing with, let alone talking to their children about. As a result, many children use the word "gay" as an insult and, despite the demise of Section 28, educators still struggle to deal with homophobic bullying.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
