Nanny for a Same-Sex Couple?

[AdriannaJean]

Hi All,

I’ve recently received a job offer to work as a nanny for a same-sex couple. I know we’re supposed to love everyone and treat everyone the same because we’re all sinners. I don’t feel I could reject these people on the basis that they’re gay any more than I could reject any number of the friends I have that don’t practice chastity in other forms. I just don’t know where the line is between supporting them as people and supporting something I believe is morally wrong (same sex marriage). The children are too young that I would be put in a situation where I have to explain something to them. This couple are obviously people deserving of respect, as are we all, and I would rather err on the side of love than the side of scrupulosity. I just want anyone to point out any direct conflicts that might occur here, so I make a more informed decision.

Thanks

 

[puzzleannie]

be that as it may when you are employed as a nanny you have to agree to the parents’ standards and rules for child care. Is that something you are going to be able to do in conscience, or will you be asked, perhaps on a daily basis, to violate your own standards? If you know them, have interviewed them and understand their expectations you can answer that. It is possible to respect someone while still disagreeing with their life choices, and without cooperating with them when those choices pose problems, especially for a child in your care.

You would face a similar dilemma if you proposing to work for a family where the parents are not married, for instance, and would have to discern of the manner of life in the home will require you to condone, or even witness, things that violate your conscience and morals, and moreover to teach the child in your care that these things are acceptable. You would have to know a lot about the family to answer these questions.

 

[seanflynn]

We are surrounded by sinners, even on Catholic forums, everywhere we go in this world. We are called to be light to the world, though. By the grace of God, you can bring truth to this family by your interatctions with them. I work for a Muslim, who by that fact rejects the Divnity of Jesus as much as a same-sex couple, so maybe I’m just rationalizing my own decision to work there.

Hopefully not off topic too much: Yay Victoria! I’m not the pastor at Sacred Heart, just same name.

 

[kage_ar]

I’ve worked for sinners and I’ve worked for saints.

You knew this when you interviewed, so, why the questions now?

 

[angelerulastiel]

I’ve recently received a job offer to work as a nanny for a same-sex couple. I know we’re supposed to love everyone and treat everyone the same because we’re all sinners. I don’t feel I could reject these people on the basis that they’re gay any more than I could reject any number of the friends I have that don’t practice chastity in other forms. I just don’t know where the line is between supporting them as people and supporting something I believe is morally wrong (same sex marriage). The children are too young that I would be put in a situation where I have to explain something to them. This couple are obviously people deserving of respect, as are we all, and I would rather err on the side of love than the side of scrupulosity. I just want anyone to point out any direct conflicts that might occur here, so I make a more informed decision.

Are you volunteering or working? I don’t think that getting paid to take care of a child is supporting their lifestyle. A child with homosexual parents should only be taken care of by someone who thinks that’s okay? The only problem I can see is if you are going to feel the need to say his/her parents are living in sin. At least the child will have a good role model.

 

[OraLabora]

If we were to avoid working in places where there are homosexuals, adulterers, thieves, scoundrels, liars, cheaters, couples in invalid marriages, masturbators and fornicators (did I miss any?), we would never work anywhere.

Regardless of how this couple conducts their lives, they do have a child that is not about to disappear, and the welfare of a child should always prevail.

That I or others think the child’s welfare is at least somewhat harmed by being raised in a same-sex union is wrong (ideal situation is always two opposite-sex loving parents) should not prevent an outsider from doing the best they can for the welfare of the child.

You need to think of the job in terms of doing what’s best for the child (which includes not criticizing the parent’s lifestyle choices: the child has the right to love them unconditionally), not in terms of “enabling” a situation that in any case already exists so you aren’t really “enabling” anything.

 

[comrade1789]

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” uknown, quoted by Leonard Cohen.

At least being on site you would be able to make Christ present in the home and pray prayers of intercession. On the other hand, you mustn’t allow yourself to lend your approval as a Christian and a disciple of Christ to a sinful lifestyle.

 

[camerong]

There seems to be a difference between working for or with someone, and helping to facilitate a sinful situation. Its not the same as working under or with unrepentant sinners. Making copies of TPS reports for an adulterer doesn’t make it easier for him to commit adultery. Here, a same-sex couple is raising a child. By being a nanny, you facilitate that particular sin by making it easier to commit.

 

[comrade1789]

There seems to be a difference between working for or with someone, and helping to facilitate a sinful situation. Its not the same as working under or with unrepentant sinners. Making copies of TPS reports for an adulterer doesn’t make it easier for him to commit adultery. Here, a same-sex couple is raising a child. By being a nanny, you facilitate that particular sin by making it easier to commit.

Well put. This thread quoted above gets to the point.

 

[OraLabora]

There seems to be a difference between working for or with someone, and helping to facilitate a sinful situation. Its not the same as working under or with unrepentant sinners. Making copies of TPS reports for an adulterer doesn’t make it easier for him to commit adultery. Here, a same-sex couple is raising a child. By being a nanny, you facilitate that particular sin by making it easier to commit.

And what will change if the OP stops facilitating this sin, and the OP is replaced by a non-Christian nanny who clearly indicates her approval of the gay lifestyle?

What, in this instance will better the welfare of the child?

The welfare of the child is the crux of the matter. Social services won’t intervene as society has given tacit approval to gay parents. So the domestic situation is very much unlikely to change, and the couple will just hire another nanny, that may not be able to provide, subtly, a Christian presence in the home and for the child.

Any solution that is highly theoretical and doesn’t consider the realism of the circumstances is just blowing air.