To begin, I have a huge family. Often times the
children and tweens in my family consider my home a safe haven. Needless to
say, I always have children (covering all age ranges) over. One behavior that I
have found myself correcting often is the children calling one another “fags”
and or “gay.” I find them doing it every chance they get. If someone says
something they feel is not masculine enough, they’re called “gay.” If someone
shows emotions, like telling one another, “I love you before going to bed,”
they’re called gay. I’m not sure where it has come from, if it’s something they
do in school amongst their peers, but we have begun implementing consequences.
I have explained to the children that the terms they
are using are offensive and should not be used because of the effects they can have
on others. I try to have them understand how it feels to hear offensive terms
used towards them. They often tell me that they are not meaning to be offensive
and that they are playing around. For me though, it is important that they
understand that their words will not always be taken lightly by people that are
offended by them. I want them to understand the importance of respecting
everyone at all times. Both in private and in public.
