Lego Adam and EveWell, Premier McGuinty here in Ontario threw 'er in reverse in a hurry! Earlier this week we heard about changes to sex education in the provincial school system. The electorate returned the favour and let him hear about how they felt about the changes, and for many it wasn't favourable. Leading the charge were religious groups, from the Roman Catholic church to conservative Protestants, to those from other faith communities. McGuinty decided to back off for the time being. Of course this doesn't mean that there won't be sex education in the public school system. It just may not be quite so explicit in the time frame proposed.
I'm not sure what to think. I do feel there is a place for sex education in the schools and, honestly, parents usually aren't very good at this. A lot of us got the anatomically correct version of sex ed at home, with a lot of discomfort attached, and the "dirty" version in the schoolyard. But how far should the school system introduce all this without parental consultation? There are probably a lot of moms and dads who are uncomfortable with their kids being introduced to the existence of oral and anal sex in grade school.
The church has a lousy record of affirming sexuality in practical terms, and while our United Church claims sex is good and a gift from God, we don't have a clue as to how to say that out loud. We have well-crafted documents which no one ever sees or talks about. We tend to shy away from scripture passages that are the slightest bit sensual or lusty.
What has your gut reaction been to the kerfuffle of the past week? Do you think a ramped-up sex education program in the schools is good, bad, or ugly? Would you squirm in your pew if a minister launched into a sermon celebrating sexuality? Take a look at Rosie DiManno's well-expressed column on the subject in the Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/800058--dimanno-sex-ed-taught-dalton-mcguinty-a-lot-about-role-reversal?bn=1
6 comments:
Rosie's column was excellent and echoed my own concern - teaching sex ed and sexuality to 8/9 year old children - it seemed way too young. And yet, I also acknowledge that for some/many parents there is a real uncomfortableness around sex ed at home. Catch 22.
The curriculum was taken through the usual review cycle and broad consultation with various expert groups was undertaken as part of that process. To a certain extent, the hubbubb is derived from the media honing in on certain key phrases and magnifying them.
That said, parents do have a say in this process and it's obvious that a large cross-section of them have execised that right!
As for me, I have no problem with sex ed., and have taught it to kids from the ages of 11-14 since I started teaching nine years ago.
By far the funniest moment came in that first year during discussions on puberty with my grade six class. Back then, we didn't separate the genders, and a boy in the room was squirming away so much before we started that it forced a little girl in the front row to exclaim:
"Justin! For the love of God, we're just talking about sex; we're not having it!"
LOL, Ian on your story!! I too have taught sex ed to 12 and 14 year olds and do have similar stories!
As a parent of a 10 year old who is in Grade 5, we have a say as to whether or not we want our children to take part in the discussions at school. A letter came home this week asking if we were in the know and approved of the teaching of sex ed in Grade 5.(specific curriculum expectations were listed - you can find the expectations at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/grades.html and you want the Physed curriculum.) Policy in most boards is to inform parents of what is going to be taught and parents have the option to say no. In my mind this can make things even more uncomfortable for a child if he/she is not involved in the discussions that the majority of students are involved in.
Yes, the church needs to also become more comfortable with it. Our churches have a history of seeing the body as less than the mind and the soul, and sometimes it was the body vs. the mind and soul. People were taught to feel shame of their bodies.
I have seen some changes regarding this theology. The body was created by God and is a glorious and unique part of each one of us. All ages need to hear this at church, and from the pulpit.
Oh, and sex also is a glorious and unique part of each one of us.
Thank you for all your perspectives. You're right about the Catch 22 Susan. What if some religious parents or others opposed sex ed at school and didn't offer anything at home.
Good to hear from two teachers who have been in the midst of educating students. That is a funny story Ian.
And good to hear from a colleague.
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