As parents and educators, we have a responsibility to protect the innocence of our children and allow them to be children for as long as possible. This means shielding them from adult conversations and topics that may be too mature for their young minds. Unfortunately, a recent controversy at a Wisconsin elementary school highlights the growing trend of introducing sexual orientation to young children in an effort to promote acceptance and equality.
The school in question hosts an annual spring concert where young children perform songs and spread positivity and joy. While most songs selected for the concert were innocent and uplifting, one teacher chose to have her first-grade class perform “Rainbowland” by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, a song about acceptance of the LGBTQ community. The administration, however, deemed the song controversial and said no to its inclusion in the concert.
The fact that a teacher thought it appropriate to have 6-year-olds sing about the LGBTQ community and its struggles is concerning. While it is important to teach children about acceptance and equality, it is not appropriate to use young children as performative activists to teach society a moral lesson. The lyrics of the song, which include phrases like “all the hurt and the hate going on here” and “brush the judgement and fear aside,” are not appropriate for young children who are supposed to be spreading happiness and joy at the spring concert.
The backlash against the administration’s decision to cancel the song is not surprising, but it is misplaced. The decision was made based on school policy, which states that controversial topics that may have opposing points of view should not be included in school functions. The fact that a song sung by first-graders in support of LGBTQ inclusion is controversial is evidence of the growing trend of introducing adult topics to young children.
Furthermore, the adoption of the rainbow as a symbol of the LGBTQ community does not mean that young children should be taught that it has a deeper, more controversial meaning. The rainbow is a beautiful and magical thing in the sky that children should enjoy without any baggage or political charge. The fact that a teacher said that “these confusing messages about rainbows are ultimately creating a culture that seems unsafe towards queer people” is concerning and further highlights the issue of introducing controversial topics to young children.
As parents and educators, we need to recognize that children deserve their innocence and should be allowed to be children for as long as possible. We should shield them from adult conversations and topics and allow them to enjoy the simple magic of childhood. While promoting acceptance and equality is important, we should do so in an age-appropriate manner that doesn’t burden young children with adult issues. Let’s all work together to ensure that our children can be children for as long as they can be.
