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‘Grandad’s Pride’. Really?

(399 Posts)
Urmstongran Tue 22-Aug-23 12:58:27

More like ‘smut under the radar’ hoping to make this acceptable (inclusive?) behaviour. Yuk.

A PRIDE children’s book featuring men in bondage gear was shown to four-year-olds in pre-school, it has emerged.

Parents had raised concerns with staff at Genesis Pre School, in Hull, East Yorkshire, after it was brought to their attention that children were being exposed to the images.

A staff member had checked with parents of the nursery pupils if they were happy with the contents of the book Grandad’s Pride by Harry ­Woodgate to be shown to their children, but one flagged images of “­partially naked” men in “leather ­bondage gear” as concerning.

A member of staff then defended the images, arguing that children wouldn’t understand the erotic and sexualised depictions.

What are your thoughts on this book?

Urmstongran Tue 22-Aug-23 15:14:54

paddyann54

Well Urm that didn't go how you wanted/imagined it would !

My views are my own. As yours is. Different opinions.
I just thought ‘goodness, to think people were worried about Enid Blyton books!’

I just think for young children overt sexualisation in school books is inappropriate. Let children be children. Time enough to learn about kinky dressing up choices when they are much older.

What goes on behind bedroom doors seems to be insisted upon viewing nowadays. Bondage dressing up used to be on the top shelf in a newsagent. Now? Oh let’s tell this story to four year olds. Why?

NotSpaghetti Tue 22-Aug-23 15:15:30

Thought I'd share a picture too, of the shirt stays I was thinking of Ilovecheese - (and I do also love cheese).

Urmstongran Tue 22-Aug-23 15:16:07

Ilovecheese

I am glad to see you Urmstongran I like your posts on interesting talking points, although I don't always agree with you, and I like the way you add a picture.

Thank you! 😊

Joseann Tue 22-Aug-23 15:17:47

That's not a very appropriate book cover for little children as shown in the OP, and it wouldn't make its way into my house. Glad to see it's just the American version.
Having said that, I know the book by the same author called Grandpa's Camper, and his life by the sea. It is nicely written and illustrated, and deals gently with the topic of death in a family.
I have no idea about the pride one, but personally I don't want to be explaining unnecessary images when I read to Yr 1 children, unless they ask. Diversity and inclusion may be the hot topics of this decade, but I prefer to stick with adventure and romanticism!!

growstuff Tue 22-Aug-23 15:18:23

NotSpaghetti

Thought I'd share a picture too, of the shirt stays I was thinking of Ilovecheese - (and I do also love cheese).

Boris Johnson could do with one of those wink

Urmstongran Tue 22-Aug-23 15:19:37

merlotgran

It’s not a cover though is it? I read it’s in a section of the book.

I didn’t imagine for one moment it was the cover. I assumed it was within the pages of the book. I don’t think of myself as a prude but I found this smutty.

How many grandads would ‘this’ be anyway in RL?
About 0.2% of the population?

Pandering much?

Joseann Tue 22-Aug-23 15:20:59

Let children be children.
Yes, and preserve their innocence.

Joseann Tue 22-Aug-23 15:22:35

Sorry, I thought it was the cover.
Even so . 👎

Smileless2012 Tue 22-Aug-23 15:33:33

I do take your point about the concern over Enid Blyton books Urmstongran.

VioletSky Tue 22-Aug-23 15:54:16

Obviously children at school have gay, lesbian and trans parents or other friends and family members so it is good to have inclusivity and diversity

The same way it is good to show inclusivity in regards to race or disability

It's so wonderful for children to feel represented in stories and means the world to them

merlotgran Tue 22-Aug-23 15:54:43

I didn’t imagine for one moment it was the cover. I assumed it was within the pages of the book. I don’t think of myself as a prude but I found this smutty.

Sorry, Urmstongran, I was swayed by Paddyanne’s post of 13:03.

Urmstongran Tue 22-Aug-23 16:22:39

merlotgran 😊

... and in my opinion, Why does a pre-school have any books about Pride, no matter how tame the illustrations?

It’s all about a tiny minority. Tail wagging the dog comes to mind!

Let these littlest just get on with learning their ABCs. Much more relevant.

Joseann Tue 22-Aug-23 16:34:26

It's not just books Urmstongran, but you have to include wall charts, flashcards, toys. Etc.
( Just get them out on inspection day, then chuck them back in the cupboard)!

Chestnut Tue 22-Aug-23 16:36:14

The Amazon.uk link shows the book on sale with a different cover to the op, but some of the reviews underneath are highlighting very inappropriate pictures and content. So which is it, all sweetness and light or images of sexualised bondage? I guess you'd have to see the actual book to answer that.

Urmstongran Tue 22-Aug-23 16:40:16

Joseann 🤣

There are hundreds of age appropriate books for this age group - teaching various concepts such as manners, kindness to other, visiting the doctor the dentist the optician etc, looking after pets.

The topics in this particular book are not age appropriate, no 4 year old needs to know why a man has scars on his chest and is wearing high leather boots.

AGAA4 Tue 22-Aug-23 16:42:14

I buy a lot of books for my 4 year old grandson and don't see much harm in this story but I would be more inclined to read him stories about being kind to everyone no matter who.
No need to focus on Pride.

Callistemon21 Tue 22-Aug-23 16:44:52

I really don't like tattoos.

I know some Grandads must have them but Eurggggh!!

Callistemon21 Tue 22-Aug-23 16:46:50

AGAA4

I buy a lot of books for my 4 year old grandson and don't see much harm in this story but I would be more inclined to read him stories about being kind to everyone no matter who.
No need to focus on Pride.

Well said.

No 3 t 4 year olds need to start thinking about 'celebrating diversity'.

In fact, why celebrate it? 🤔
Just accept people for who they are.

VioletSky Tue 22-Aug-23 16:59:49

The problem is that many people do not celebrate diversity and unfortunately those opinions appear on the playground

So it is important for diversity and inclusivity to be taught in schools

Remember our British values of Individual Liberty, Tolerance and Respect

nightowl Tue 22-Aug-23 17:10:18

One of the illustrations shows a picture/ poster which says MAP which stands for Minor Attracted Person. This seems very sinister to me, and along with some of the other illustrations, nothing short of grooming.

GrannyGravy13 Tue 22-Aug-23 17:12:35

I wouldn’t purchase it for any of my GC.

NotSpaghetti Tue 22-Aug-23 17:13:25

I do wish they wouldn't crop images to look like the main thing.
I read this book looking for problems and totally missed this guy whose image is everywhere!

Let's have info in context.

rafichagran Tue 22-Aug-23 17:15:14

If children dont understand the erotic and sexualised depitions, why show it to kids of 4 who would not understand it. It was the teacher who said this and defended it.
I would not want my 4 year old soon to be reception Grandaughter reading that. There is so many other good books she can read.

nightowl Tue 22-Aug-23 17:20:02

Grooming works that way doesn’t it? Begin by showing or doing things that children don’t understand. It’s sickening.

Oreo Tue 22-Aug-23 17:20:28

rafichagran

If children dont understand the erotic and sexualised depitions, why show it to kids of 4 who would not understand it. It was the teacher who said this and defended it.
I would not want my 4 year old soon to be reception Grandaughter reading that. There is so many other good books she can read.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It’s just urrrrgh!
Schools have been brainwashed to show any old crap that’s deemed ‘trending’ and just go along with it.
Be kind! Diversity! What rubbish.