More than two
thirds of Latino parents have not addressed sexual
orientation with their children, though 95% agree that the
information should come from a parent, a new survey
released Wednesday found.
"Bullying
and the use of gay slurs in schoolyards and communities are
far too common in America," said David Shern,
president and CEO of Mental Health America, which
conducted the survey. "It has serious effects on
children's self-esteem, schoolwork, and overall
development. Talking with children about sexual
orientation may not be easy, but it will help them
learn to better handle situations of bullying and to respect
and value others."
Mental Health
America also found that 26% of children have started
conversation with their parents about sexual orientation.
Seventy percent of parents said they don't feel
prepared to talk to their children about sexual
orientation, but almost the same amount, 63%, said it is
important to teach children that it is wrong to treat
others differently because they are gay. Furthermore,
76% of Latino parents said it is harmful for children
to tease each other for being gay.
The lack of
dialogue in Latino homes is having a negative impact: 22% of
parents surveyed were unaware that bullying of gay students
happens at all. However, 59% of parents said that
bullying happens to gay students in their children's
school. (The Advocate)
