Acceptable Parenting?

  After reading my local paper today I became very infuriated while reading the "Dear Annie" section. A loving single father had written in about his not so understanding family. Apparently they took issue that he and his son shared a bathroom while getting ready at the same time. This made this the 16 year old son so uncomfortable that he no longer wanted to spend time with his extended family members. Can you blame him? One family member had went as far as telling the boy "this type of behavior would turn him gay." What? Would sharing a locker room with his male classmates turn him gay too?
  How far are we going to go people? It was nothing for us to go into the bathroom as girls, with our mother while she was showering or even using the bathroom. We were all girls. We all had to get ready. It is no different than getting ready at school in the girls locker room. In most schools by middle school you are required to shower after gym. This didn't make anyone gay. Last I knew you weren't made gay, you were born that way.
  I understand everyone has a different parenting style. But some people seem to be taking what is "acceptable to them" to far. We need to remember this is America. We all come from different backgrounds, have different cultural beliefs, and have different ways of parenting. Not all kids are the same. We are all individuals and lets not forget that. Each child is an individual and should be parented that way. However, it is not the place of extended family members, friends, or anyone else to say if you should be in the bathroom with your child at the same time or not.
  Now there are some exceptions. For instance, if you have had a history of being a pedophile. Then you shouldn't be around children in the first place. If you have had a history of abusing a child physically than maybe you should be supervised. But these are truly up to a court and a counselor. Of course a family should be alert to these situations, but obviously this was not the case with this loving father and his son.
  Lets face it, America has become to sensitive to child abuse issues. You can't discipline your child in public. You can't spank your children without someone screaming child abuse or calling CPS. You can't even ground your children because god forbid you are keeping them against their will. And people wonder why we are raising entitled children.
  Time outs...ha! They don't work on all children. I spanked my children and I raised 8. They didn't like them, but they weren't supposed to. I also stood them on the wall. I also made them do chores. I wasn't a perfect parent but who is. We all make our mistakes. But I never allowed my friends or family dictate to me how I would raise my children. As a result I have very well behaved, well rounded, and some what successful grown children. Two of these children now have children of their own. They raise their children very much like I raised them. As a result, I have some wonderfully behaved and respectful grandchildren. And yes, they sometimes share a bathroom.
  So America, lets get over ourselves and check ourselves at the door. Think before we speak. Think before you alienate your family over words that are so irresponsible.