I agree that sex education is a necessary stage in our children’s development, and sadly, I also acknowledge that there are far too many sexually active children in the classroom.

I think we can all agree that the core problem there stems from differences in moral upbringings and the parental responsibilities of having these conversations with their children at an appropriate age, in an appropriate environment. But again, another conversation.

However, the solution to helping children-in-need should NOT involve introducing other children to the same explicitly promiscuous behavior.

What is adventurous to some children is unnaturally uncomfortable, embarrassing, and in some cases, disturbing to others.

Helping children-in-crisis (including dealing with STDs and pregnancy) is an entirely different matter than introducing innocent and unwitting children to something that they have no interest in — especially without any warning of what they are about to be introduced to.

Come to think of it, how/when did “consequential sex” ever became a public school mandate..?

But, as long as sex education remains in the public school curriculum, my desire is that modesty dictate what is presented as “necessary” and “essential” information without compromising the safe and healthy environment promoted by public schools …or my child’s personal comfort level (which by the way, should be just as important of a health concern as their sexual activity).

Explicit sex ed presentations fall far short of the school’s responsibility — and parental permissions, when it comes to my children’s welfare.

That is my point.

The fact that it takes a responsible and selfless person to be a parent and actually care about their children enough to indulge in uncomfortable conversations on the home-front is an argument better left to people with more diplomacy than I have.

In the mean time, there are wonderful tools that serve as an excellent substitute to having these conversations in person… they’re called, books.

Children need the facts so that, even if they don’t make the choice we would wish, they at least make an informed one. Few parents are aware of the facts about STI’s. Children need to how they are transmitted, the health risks associated with them and how to limit their exposure.

If you have cover this with your child–great. I garentee that their are people that haven’t and I would rather have every single child feel uncomfortable in a classroom then to have a single one live with a life long infection, become barren or die because they didn’t realize the risks that they were taking.

Again, I will briefly remind respondents that the goal of this petition is to Preserve Modesty In The Sex Ed. Classroom — not to debate the inappropriateness of a parents’ decision to defer their child’s promiscuous curiosities to total strangers and other ‘wayward’ peers.

The point is twofold:

1) As long as there is one child who is uncomfortable in a classroom discussing sex, NO ONE (teacher, health administrator, government policymaker) has the right to perpetuate that environment.

2) As it stands, provincial curriculum does NOT endorse explicit sexual discussions in the classroom (one of the motives for this petition).

Remember…
Schools are NOT a panacea for parental shortcomings.

While I think it’s important that parents know what their children are learning in the classroom, I think it’s MORE important that youth learn about all aspects of sexuality. While perhaps some sexual practices go against the family’s sense of values, it does not mean that LEARNING about those practices turns into the youth experimenting with them.

Too many parents neglect to talk to their children about sexual and reproductive health, or believe that a single conversation will satisfy their questions - having a trained sexual health educator in the classroom allows for questions to be asked to an impartial expert.

In addition, while some youth might not feel that the information is relevant to them at the time the sex ed is instructed, it may be SO important for others in the classroom to be learning about it!

Please go to the soapbox to see C.Scanlan’s original comments …and my reply.

Remember the point of the petition – preserving modesty in the classroom, and establishing appropriate curriculum.

Remember too that nurturing supportive relationships for, and with, our children always begins at home.

Finally, respect for others goes a long way in presenting opposing points of view, and bear in mind that the loudest voices don’t always make for sound arguments.

Have a nice day :)

Please go to the soapbox to see Amanda’s original comments …and my reply.

My reply can be found in the soapbox

Mom