School Bans Parents From Sex Ed Class...

You know when a public school doesn't want the parents of students present for a particular class - whether it's sex education or any other class - parents have a right to be concerned. Advocates of sex ed always make the same stupid argument that many kids are not receiving the information at home. While this sounds logical to most people, you need to stop and think about this for a minute. What business is it of the schools what information the students are or are not getting at home with regard to instruction about sex? And who should determine the extent of the information that is given to the kids or at what age is appropriate for such information?

The answers are: none and not the schools.

But let's assume for a minute that enough parents - a majority - are in favor of the schools imparting information of this nature to their children. Is it not reasonable to share with parents (as is customary with any other part of the curriculum) exactly what information is to be taught or allow a parent to "sit-in" on a class (which is also customary for any other instruction)? In Montgomery County, Maryland the question is irrelevant.

Despite the written policy of the school system that welcomes parents into the schools, for this class it doesn't apply.

The policy says, "Classroom visits and conferences by parents and other persons in the school community are encouraged."

Of course a school's spokesman gave their rationale -

"If you're in a classroom and you want to have a frank discussion among your peers, with whom you've developed trust, and you're going to have Johnny Smith's mother sitting in the corner, you're not going to be as honest," he said.

Parents who are concerned about the new curriculum because they think it favors a homosexual agenda and encourages promiscuity said keeping them out of the classroom when the new sex-ed curriculum is being taught is "a big mistake."

"There isn't anything in the school curriculum that parents should not be able to go and hear for themselves," said Michelle Turner, president of Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum (CRC). "If the school feels that parents shouldn't be in the classroom, then that's a red flag for parents."

Here's my point. Why are "frank discussions" necessary? If the purpose is to impart the information in a classroom setting, why the need to promote "honesty" from the students? I thought the important thing was simply giving the facts, not sharing experiences. Questions for factual clarification are one thing, but questions that require an opinion, interpretation or moral judgements should be directed back to the parents - because it's the parent's responsibility and sole authority to address such questions. Not the school. And especially not a school that is funded by very parents who want a say in their children's education.

If the school is so focused on "honesty" and openness then shutting out the parents is the ultimate form of hypocrisy.

Let's be honest. The reason parents are not welcome in this class is that there is an agenda being pushed by the school - one that is bent on presenting certain lifestyles, choices and practices that a vast majority of parents would - at the very least - prefer to discuss with their children themselves. If a certain point of view is to be emphasized, only the parents have the right to do so. The children belong to their parents, not to the school system.

Under pressure from the CRC [Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum], the schools last month removed a sentence in the curriculum that stated: "Sex play with friends of the same gender is not uncommon during early adolescence."

The schools also removed a statement that said that students would "discuss how you develop your sexual identity."

I'm sorry, there is just no legitimate argument for having this class at all. If any other adults tried to take a child aside and have such discussions with them without their parents knowledge, that person would be arrested and prosecuted.

But because it's the school system parents are just supposed to sit by and accept it? I don't think so.

Posted by: Gary at 09:30 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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