Active Quote by Samuel R. Delany
“Since I spent eighteen years of my life as a child, and nine years of that life as a pretty sexually active gay child, my complaint against the current attitudes is that they work mightily to silence the voices of children first and secondarily ignore what adults have to say who have been through these situations. One size fits all is never the way to handle any situation with a human dimension. Many, many children-and I was one of them-are desperate to establish some sort of sexual relation with an older and even adult figure.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Trouble with ‘One Size Fits All’” in The New York Review of Books, 2020
Children’s sexual identities need nuanced, individualized support; blanket policies silence diverse experiences.
In simple terms: Children need tailored support.
Key Takeaway
Listen to each child’s experience.
Themes
identity
sexuality
policy
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
advocacy
reflective
When to use this quote
- education
- counseling
- family discussions
Key Concepts
human rights
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policies respect individuality?
- What safeguards protect vulnerable youth?
A Different Perspective
Overgeneralization can ignore safety concerns.
