Anyone who's been a father to kids knows that kids, particularly very young kids, don't use complex slurs they can't understand; they physically act out their aggression
aggression? Two kids slag at one another - one says, "You're a queer, Henry!" "Yeah, and you're a poof, Petey!" Off to the knacker's yard ... WTF is wrong with you people?)
in the playground or social environment... if they can include a slur they've learned from their parents or older siblings
or other kids (we shouldn't over-focus on blaming the family when there are countless influences out there - most kids learn bad behaviour in the schoolyard)
, as they're bashing
(here you have lapsed into totally unwarranted hyperbole)
their victim... then they likely will.
It's telling that The Independent alluded to there being more to it in its article, otherwise... y'know... the journalist would not be exercising 'journalistic integrity', but didn't go any further than that.