I originally thought that the headline sounded a bit laughable – I strongly doubted the 8 year olds were gay-bashing each other – but on further reflection, I think it’s definitely serious, given the examples of things like body-shaming and being told to kill yourself.
Even though most of the kids probably barely understand what they’re saying when they do stuff like this, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a big impact on those they say it to. For those of them not living in houses where these views are the norm, a talk with a teacher is probably a quick fix that can stop this happening. Childhood bullying can stick with you for a long time, and even the most innocuous comments and views can be part of the pressure to stay in the closet when you’re older.
I am surprised at this. I’d thought gay as a general purpose word meaning shit as when I was in primary school had long since passed.
Very sad but I bet it is an improvement on my day. They do actually teach about gay people, homosexual relationships and many kids would have openly gay family friends, family members and celebrity icons. Even in the 90s the go-to insults revolved around being gay. If something was bad or even slightly feminine it was gay. Two boys being close friends was gay. It was almost like an obsession for some, I used to hang out and play computer games with a mate and some other kid kept asking if we were “bumming” in his room. If he wanted to picture that idea it is on him really… I bet also now teachers are a hell of a lot better and would take it very seriously if they heard it.
Where I live a 15 year old was set on fire because he was gay a few years ago. Happened near a rough estate that I grew up on.
Gotta stamp that shit out early before it gets to this point.
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I originally thought that the headline sounded a bit laughable – I strongly doubted the 8 year olds were gay-bashing each other – but on further reflection, I think it’s definitely serious, given the examples of things like body-shaming and being told to kill yourself.
Even though most of the kids probably barely understand what they’re saying when they do stuff like this, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a big impact on those they say it to. For those of them not living in houses where these views are the norm, a talk with a teacher is probably a quick fix that can stop this happening. Childhood bullying can stick with you for a long time, and even the most innocuous comments and views can be part of the pressure to stay in the closet when you’re older.
I am surprised at this. I’d thought gay as a general purpose word meaning shit as when I was in primary school had long since passed.
Very sad but I bet it is an improvement on my day. They do actually teach about gay people, homosexual relationships and many kids would have openly gay family friends, family members and celebrity icons. Even in the 90s the go-to insults revolved around being gay. If something was bad or even slightly feminine it was gay. Two boys being close friends was gay. It was almost like an obsession for some, I used to hang out and play computer games with a mate and some other kid kept asking if we were “bumming” in his room. If he wanted to picture that idea it is on him really… I bet also now teachers are a hell of a lot better and would take it very seriously if they heard it.
Where I live a 15 year old was set on fire because he was gay a few years ago. Happened near a rough estate that I grew up on.
Gotta stamp that shit out early before it gets to this point.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/man-set-on-fire-by-gang-of-thugs-in-gay-hate-attack-in-church-grounds-a3301601.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20220209121941/https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/pupils-in-shock-after-bullied-classmate-aged-12-reportedly-takes-his-own-life-in-milton-keynes-3560190