Drag Queens

Doodledog

I don't understand how it is inclusive at all. How many children have lives that include women dressed or made up like this? Or which normalise sexualised gyrating and so on?
I don’t see how it’s inclusive either, but anything which mentions weird sex-linked practices is now deemed inclusive or promoting diversity or being kind.

As you rightly say Theexwife the responsibility lies with parents. They're responsible for being accompanied by their little ones to these 'performances' and knowing that the latest 'thing' is having Drag Queen's presenting story time, it's their responsibility to ensure they know precisely who will be giving the reading.

If that grotesque 'monkey' outfit is anything to go by, it would seem that there are some in positions of responsibility have no idea what's acceptable and what isn't.

It seems that what was once marginalised is now being pushed to be mainstream by certain sectors. With all the directives coming from those in charge who are hell bent on being seen to be more inclusive in whatever sort of organisation or workplace situation, it probably follows that those lower down the chain also want to be seen to be embracing all the inclusivity, maybe even scared they would lose their jobs if they challenged these activities. Surely we have to start pushing back what we, the majority see as unacceptable, possibly detrimental to the minds and well being of babies and young children.

Doodledog

I don't understand how it is inclusive at all. How many children have lives that include women dressed or made up like this? Or which normalise sexualised gyrating and so on?

I think that it would be one thing if the shows involved clown-like female impersonators (like Mother Goose/pantomime dames), in the guise of matronly older women in bloomers and a pinny who are obviously unthreatening. But this does not appear to be anything like that. It is sexualised and isn't inclusive of anything with which children are likely to be familiar - in fact if there were any suggestion that a child were familiar with this sort of thing it should be a huge and luminous red flag.

I believe DD the thinking is that it's a good idea for children to be made aware that there's nothing wrong with being or feeling different. It's really all wrapped-up in the culture of identity isn't it... expanding the views of what gender is via the art of drag.

It's a cultural and political movement I believe.

IMO, the one thing that discriminates and therefore 'excludes' children and possibly leaves them feeling marginalised is not so much how they identify gender-wise, it is that they are sidelined and excluded through poverty. Being poor, being the child of impoverished parents means you miss out on so much in life... miss so many opportunities in education, employment, and life in general. I think the focus is on the wrong issue. But that of course is purely my opinion. We don't need more options for children to explore their identities, we need more opportunities for them to fulfil their ambitions, and develop their abilities and talents... and being poor is a huge hurdle to all of these things.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with being different, and teaching children to accept difference is a laudable aim, but that has to happen within acceptable boundaries or it’s dangerous.

Do we want them being taught that serial killers should be considered ’normal’ for instance? Where does ‘stranger danger’ fit with any of this?

I agree that poverty is something that desperately needs to be addressed, but with respect I think that that is entirely separate from this debate.

Children need to be helped to understand their feelings and manage them. We all get cross or angry but throwing a tantrum or shouting isn’t the best way to tell people we are angry.
We also help children to keep safe, stranger danger but also that if a grown up does something , or asks you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your parent or a grown up you trust

The drag shows being shown here make us feel uncomfortable. I’m sure my young grandchildren would feel uneasy . It crosses boundaries imo. It’s exposing children to an adult world I don’t choose to enter

Iam64 Good point, if we as adults feel uncomfortable and do not choose to enter that world, why do some adults feel it necessary to force this on their children. While accepting that there are levels of being and feeling different that are acceptable there are also levels that are morally wrong, vulgar and should not be considered normal behaviour in the context of entertainment for children.

TerriBull

Theexwife

If the parents did not attend the shows they would not happen.

Being a parent doesn't always equate to sound judgement, or acting in the best interests of a child. I believe someone mentioned up thread, there are beauty contests, where small girls are made up to the nines to look like mini adults, do these little girls put themselves forward to take part? Small children don't have a voice neither can they make an informed choice, they are reliant on adults to make safe and sensible decisions that will be in their best interests. Just because certain things exist, that doesn't make them right and there are always those who will be up for anything because often because it's what they want! I rather think the question that should be posed is not "if the parents did attend, these shows wouldn't be happening" but rather "why are they happening around very young children?" that's the basis of the OP.

I agree, either the parents were told it was just a fun event or they thought it was funny and didn’t care.Useless parents if so.

On employing drag acts in libraries and nurseries to do a reading hour, what the hell are the librarian or nursery manager thinking! Oh I know, they’re smugly congratulating themselves on running a ‘diverse’ outfit. Unless parents complain all this nonsense won’t go away.😡

Doodledog

There is, of course, nothing wrong with being different, and teaching children to accept difference is a laudable aim, but that has to happen within acceptable boundaries or it’s dangerous.

Do we want them being taught that serial killers should be considered ’normal’ for instance? Where does ‘stranger danger’ fit with any of this?

I agree that poverty is something that desperately needs to be addressed, but with respect I think that that is entirely separate from this debate.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with being different, and teaching children to accept difference is a laudable aim, but that has to happen within acceptable boundaries or it’s dangerous.

I agree. I think one of those boundaries is explicit sexualisation. I don't believe drag queens dancing around to music in thongs or bondage-type clothing is appropriate - though I'm not sure if this is standard in these events.

I agree that poverty is something that desperately needs to be addressed, but with respect I think that that is entirely separate from this debate.

I mentioned it because the theme of drag readings / events is said to be about "inclusivity" and poverty definitely does not encourage universality in terms of broadening a child's mind via art, literature, music, etc.

So those poor little ones who never see a book at home or get read too are taken to a library and presented (because misguided parents think it might be fun) something which really is not encouraging broadening the mind through art, literature or music.