Inappropriate sex ed?
Conservative media outlets and "family values" organizations are freaking out over a proposed sex education curriculum in Helena, Montana. Some parents and teachers have voiced concern over some of the controversial aspects, and the issue has garnered national attention. If you'd like to read the proposal, you can download the PDF here (page 45-50 is apt).
Kindergarten:
“Introduce basic reproductive body parts (penis, vagina, breast, nipples, testicles, scrotum, uterus)”
Grade 1:
“Understand human beings can love people of the same gender & people of another gender”
Grade 2:
“Understand making fun of people by calling them gay (e.g., ‘homo,’ ‘fag,’ ‘queer’) is disrespectful and hurtful.”
Grade 4:
“Understand sexual harassment is unwanted and uninvited sexual attention such as teasing, touching, or taunting, sexting and is against the law.”
Grade 5:
“Understand that sexual intercourse includes but is not limited to vaginal, oral, or anal penetration.”
“Understand sexual orientation refers to a person’s physical and/or romantic attraction to an individual of the same and/or different gender, and is part of ones’ personality.”
Grade 6:
“Understand that sexual intercourse includes but is not limited to vaginal, oral, or anal penetration; using the penis, fingers, tongue or objects.”
“Understand gender identity is different from sexual orientation.”
Grade 7:
“Discuss the Supreme Court decision that has ruled that, to a certain extent, people have the right to make personal decisions concerning sexuality & reproductive health matters, such as abortion, sterilization, and contraception.”
“Discuss state laws governing the age of consent for sexual behaviors.”
“Understand sexual abuse involving touching can include kissing, an abuser touching ‘genitals’ touching the abusers ‘genitals,’ being asked to touch one’s own ‘genitals,’ or engaging in vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.”
Grades 9-12:
“Understand erotic images in art reflect society’s views about sexuality & help people understand sexuality.”
What do you think? I think most of us would agree that what's being taught K-2 is age appropriate (learning appropriate terms, that bullying is wrong, etc.). But is teaching about sodomy in 5th grade appropriate? Obviously parents can opt their child out, but some teachers want to be opted out as well.
One of the things I find almost refreshing about is that they're touching on age-of-consent laws (especially in conjunction with sexual abuse or assault). I don't remember that ever happening when I was in school, and while I'm not sure it would make any difference to those learning it, it seems like a wise thing to teach.
Kindergarten:
“Introduce basic reproductive body parts (penis, vagina, breast, nipples, testicles, scrotum, uterus)”
Grade 1:
“Understand human beings can love people of the same gender & people of another gender”
Grade 2:
“Understand making fun of people by calling them gay (e.g., ‘homo,’ ‘fag,’ ‘queer’) is disrespectful and hurtful.”
Grade 4:
“Understand sexual harassment is unwanted and uninvited sexual attention such as teasing, touching, or taunting, sexting and is against the law.”
Grade 5:
“Understand that sexual intercourse includes but is not limited to vaginal, oral, or anal penetration.”
“Understand sexual orientation refers to a person’s physical and/or romantic attraction to an individual of the same and/or different gender, and is part of ones’ personality.”
Grade 6:
“Understand that sexual intercourse includes but is not limited to vaginal, oral, or anal penetration; using the penis, fingers, tongue or objects.”
“Understand gender identity is different from sexual orientation.”
Grade 7:
“Discuss the Supreme Court decision that has ruled that, to a certain extent, people have the right to make personal decisions concerning sexuality & reproductive health matters, such as abortion, sterilization, and contraception.”
“Discuss state laws governing the age of consent for sexual behaviors.”
“Understand sexual abuse involving touching can include kissing, an abuser touching ‘genitals’ touching the abusers ‘genitals,’ being asked to touch one’s own ‘genitals,’ or engaging in vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse.”
Grades 9-12:
“Understand erotic images in art reflect society’s views about sexuality & help people understand sexuality.”
What do you think? I think most of us would agree that what's being taught K-2 is age appropriate (learning appropriate terms, that bullying is wrong, etc.). But is teaching about sodomy in 5th grade appropriate? Obviously parents can opt their child out, but some teachers want to be opted out as well.
One of the things I find almost refreshing about is that they're touching on age-of-consent laws (especially in conjunction with sexual abuse or assault). I don't remember that ever happening when I was in school, and while I'm not sure it would make any difference to those learning it, it seems like a wise thing to teach.