I Know My 9-Year-Old Son's 'Type': Pretty Boys With Dark Hair

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · #41

^^^ And being a woman doesn't make you pregnant. Not sure where you're going with that.

^^ There are reasons to give a crap about one's sexuality. We all know the song and dance, the positions and arguments from both sides. Even if you don't agree, there are reasons.

It's not that I don't want to believe that it is psychologically damaging, it's that it can't be if you approach the situation correctly. I'm not talking about beating the queer out of them, or sending them to homosexual concentration camps. If someone is psychologically damaged by a loving approach to a legitimate issue, that's just too bad. If you're really afraid of that, as I would not be, then I suppose ignoring it is an option. To go off and encourage it is just not advisable, not in my opinion as someone who thinks homosexuality is unhealthy.

What makes you guys both say I'm pressing "gay = AIDs?" Someone said that eating disorders are dangerous; well, so is homosexuality, by the numbers. It's not like an insignificant amount of gays have it more. If you look at the history of AIDs, that's very untrue. Even today where it's spread out more than ever among different types of people, gay men have it the most by a significant margin. This is undeniable and factual. It doesn't automatically give you AIDs to be gay, but an eating disorder isn't an automatic death sentence either. Does that mean neither one is potentially a fatal lifestyle? No.

^ Wouldn't it be, more specifically, biology? Regardless, as I covered, I never said being gay gives you AIDs. What would that make bisexuals? Kinda AIDs-esque?

Not sure how this became a matter of AIDs. My point was that it is a lifestyle I wouldn't want to condone, like others I mentioned. Apparently that's psychologically damaging, though, which I find laughable. Have we really become so soft that we should look down upon raising your kids traditionally? Anything goes. Mercy.

Random User · #42

Also, did you read Shane's post regarding AIDS worldwide?

Anyways, considering you're just giving me the same and dance as you would any thread, I'm bored of explaining how other people's feelings work to you. Continue thinking you can just tell people they aren't normal.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · #43

^ Of course. I live in America though, and, as usual, am only concerned with statistics regarding my country. Sort of small minded and selfish, but yeah. If I look up terrorist statistics, I'm not going to freak out because they happen every day somewhere else, and start worrying about car bombs. It just isn't relevant to me.

If all you care about is other people's feelings, then you truly are advocating an anything goes society. I believe in tradition values, and my kids would, and if they didn't, I'd do my best to instill those values until they're 18 years of age, at which point they may feel free to descend into carnal depravity of any and all nature/s without my blessing. They'd still be my kids whom I love, just my kids who are heading down the wrong path.

In case you didn't know, I already said the man in the article is free to raise his kids as he wishes, as everyone is. I'm just curious how traditional values became so demonized. The 50's seems like a pretty nice time. Everything looks horrible now. Funny how those values went out the window, and as that happened, the world became worse. Very funny coincidence. Let's enjoy our higher rates of crime, teen pregnancies, and lower church attendance, shall we?

Anyway, if you're bored then I'll just leave the topic and everyone can fawn over this article in peace, without any opposite opinion at all, here in the PP&R forum.

Random User · #44

Logically if I'm bored I'm the one stepping out of the conversation with you. I'm free to.

I am nobody · #45

The 50s were great except for those parts about schools being legally segregated for half the decade, nearly all private property being segregated, lynchings and openly racist courts, the witch hunt against anyone who didn't completely despise communism, nuclear testing near populated areas, and minimal protection from sexual harassment of any kind. Otherwise it was just a smashing time.

#46

You state that homosexuality is dangerous due to AIDS.

What kind of person thinks, "Better teach the kids not to be gay!" instead of, "Teach the kids to practice safe sex REGARDLESS OF THEIR SEXUALITY BECAUSE BEING GAY DOES NOT GIVE YOU AIDS, UNSAFE SEX GIVES YOU AIDS." What kind of person. Does that.[DOUBLEPOST=1402663532,1402663376][/DOUBLEPOST]And crime rates are the lowest they've ever been according to every reputable study I've seen. You're listening to some really messed up ****, man.

Deku Tree · #47

Teenage pregnancy peaked in the 1950s. The rate is at an all time low.

Calamity Panfan · #48

but when i watch Leave It To Beaver everybody says "gee willikers" instead of "****" and there isn't violence or teen pregnancy so the 50's had to be a better time!

Sir Bolt the Dragoon · #49

lol there are people out there who still think that AIDS is spawned from TEH GAIYS? WHAT YEAR IS IT?!

This story...I also feel like being 9 is too young to tell a kid's sexuality. I think this dad is jumping the gun.

Interestingly, I bet the same Tumblr crowd that attacks anyone who forces traditional gender roles on kids is praising this story. Even though it seems like the other side of the same coin to me.

Valigarmander · #50

[QUOTE="I REALLY HATE POKEMON!, post: 1469467, member: 18119"]I'm just curious how traditional values became so demonized. The 50's seems like a pretty nice time. Everything looks horrible now. Funny how those values went out the window, and as that happened, the world became worse. Very funny coincidence. Let's enjoy our higher rates of crime, teen pregnancies, and lower church attendance, shall we?[/QUOTE]
This sort of thinking is so common there's a term for it, the "Golden Age fallacy." You engage in nostalgia towards times long past, remembering all the supposedly positive aspects while ignoring the negatives. Let's take a looks at the 1950's, and let's cite actual statistics this time instead of talking out of our asses.

Rates of crime today and in 1950 are comparable, yet in the 50's crime was on the rise, whereas currently crime has been steadily decreasing since 1990. The country's homicide rate (for example) in 1950 was 4.6 per 100,000 and rising, and today it is 4.7 and decreasing.

Teen pregnancy peaked in the late 1905's, and is currently at a historic low. Traditional values certainly play a part in this: the states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy are in the Bible Belt, while the godless states in New England and the Pacific northwest are among the lowest.

Church attendance has declined, but then again that's not a bad thing at all.

Other things to note: Life expectancy has increased by about ten years since the 50's. The poverty rate has been cut in half since the 50's. In 1959, over half of all states still had anti-miscegenation laws. Many states still featured de jure and de facto discrimination against minorities in voting, education, employment, housing, public transportation, and other sectors in the 50's that led to the Civil Rights movement. And so on, and so forth. The country has not gotten worse since the 1950's. Not for anyone.

b l a n k · #51

I remember from studying history that people have an innate nature to blot out bad memories of the past. That's why there are so many people who yearn for the "good old days." In fact, I think people in the 1950s missed life in the 20s, and they probably missed life in the 1890s or something.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · #52

Well, I've been curbstomped in this debate. I can't argue against the wave of statistics which don't sound right to me, so I concede defeat on most of my points. Hell, maybe I'll even rethink my stances and let my kids live however they want. It's easier at least.

Kil'jaeden · #53

That is a very understanding parent. Most people are not so lucky.

#54

[QUOTE="I REALLY HATE POKEMON!, post: 1469635, member: 18119"]Hell, maybe I'll even rethink my stances and let my kids live however they want. It's easier at least.[/QUOTE]

*hug*

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · #55

Well, even though I said that kind of sarcastically, it's probably going to end up being the truth anyway. I'm more of an idealist, a lazy one at that. So basically, I like the sound of raising a kid in the way I would deem perfect, but it probably wouldn't happen how I'd like.

I know you said you didn't plan on having kids in a different topic a while back, SD, but how would you raise yours? What morals and values would you instill, and what lifestyles would you not approve of (if any)? I'm done debating, just curious about your point of view.

#56

Love. Be kind. Be giving. Be gentle, with yourself, and others. Don't get caught up in consumerism. Create. Give value. Listen with empathy and compassion. Stand up for the things that matter. Remember where material things come from, recognise the sacrifices inherent in production. Appreciate the world around you. Take quiet moments for reflection. Keep an open mind. Be ready to help without being taken advantage of. Be strong. Seek knowledge. Seek wisdom. Keep learning. Forgive.

Deepfake · #57

Much respect, IRHP.

Since I think it's a better direction for this discussion, and SD's offspring are more than likely to be mine as well: I'd try to teach my kids that you get more respect and a better life by doing things together, for others, and learning to communicate efficiently, and how to identify when they're not being respected and determine why they're not being respected. I'd try to show them that how they are perceived by others does not dictate their worth, and that worth is a take-it-as-you-need-it concept that we attach to things we deem important, and how you can't control what other people value but you can appeal to them for cooperation through empathy. I'd also teach them that fixing problems often makes new problems, and in that you will always be able to find new problems.

For the record, though, as a kid I always wanted to grow up to be the adult who understands kids. As an adult, I eventually came to terms with the notion that I didn't much like being around kids in general when I was younger. Kind of hard to like kids when you didn't like them as a kid. Now that I'm older, I'm only just beginning to really know how to do the things I always wanted to do. I probably always aimed too high or just did things the hard way.

I'd rather adopt a child who needs parents, for what it's worth. People are messed up, and I kind of feel like if I can help just one person sort out such a messy world, it'd be better in the long run.

Sim Kid · #58

[QUOTE="Colonel KR, post: 1469615, member: 38410"]I remember from studying history that people have an innate nature to blot out bad memories of the past. That's why there are so many people who yearn for the "good old days." In fact, I think people in the 1950s missed life in the 20s, and they probably missed life in the 1890s or something.[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure they did - I bet you anything in like the 2040s, we'll be ignoring almost everything about the 2000s and the new tens. ("I remember when we had $60 video games AND WE LIKED IT!" *doesn't understand inflation.*)

Sir Bolt the Dragoon · #59

[QUOTE="Colonel KR, post: 1469615, member: 38410"]I remember from studying history that people have an innate nature to blot out bad memories of the past. That's why there are so many people who yearn for the "good old days." In fact, I think people in the 1950s missed life in the 20s, and they probably missed life in the 1890s or something.[/QUOTE]Heh, the 50s were the "good old days" if you were a white middle/upper-class male.

b l a n k · #60

^Or if you were a teen born to and rebelling against your white middle/upper-class parents. It was common in those days for teens to rebel against their parents by listening to African American rock and roll artists, having their first sexual encounters outside wedlock, etc. Films like The Wild One and Rebel Without a Cause capture that spirit.

It was that kind of rebellious attitude that inspired the 60s in essence even before we were actually in the 60s. One of my history professors once said that the real "60s" lasted from about 1954-1974, ending with Watergate.