Teaching About Gay Issues In Sex Ed Causes Controversy
Hi all, I have a brief due on Thursday so I didn't have time to write a real post this week. And there was not much out there this morning on my usual suspects, but I finally found this Christian Science Monitor article that was pretty interesting. Now, as you guys know, I have my own views on why the gay panic is occurring with such ferocity. On the other hand, I have an incredibly hard time sympathizing with these parents because I can't understand what they consciously believe they are upset about. Maybe someone can explain to me why inclusion is perceived as conversion, because I. don't. get. it.
posted by Sandi | 7:43 AM
5 Comments:
I'm not much to argue with in this regard, Sandi. I don't see the big deal either.
I found it funny recently to hear some folks still bad-mouthing Disney as an organization promoting homosexuality. My youngest daughter watches The Disney Channel all the time, and it was the most wholesome television shows around - period. Disney is the one movie-making place that puts out wholesome movies that the whole family can enjoy. We listen to Disney Radio on XM Satellite all the time, and it is the cleanest channel around.
Yet they're pushing us down some scary immoral road? Give me a break?
Some people are awfully paranoid it seems. No, I should say, some people are fixated.
I guess I don't make the same connection you make, Joe. Including homosexuality in the curriculum isn't teaching Christian or Muslim children that there beliefs are wrong. I mean, I guess a teacher *could* do that, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that that is the purpose of this curriculum.
I also wonder about the whole idea of education as indoctrination (something universities are often accused of doing to their students -- with no actual evidence that I've ever seen -- which is why I am very suspicious of the term indoctrination).
Could you explain how this is a "your okay, I'm okay" mentality? I don't make that connection either.
Thanks for the clarification, Joe. You did understand me, although I still don't see the indoctrination aspect. There are Heathers in classrooms across the country with two moms. Schools aren't trying to get kids to feel bad about themselves if they don't have two moms or anything, I wouldn't think. But I would think children do need to understand that there are people in the world with differing values and world-views. There isn't just one way the world works. Rather than a dismissive "your okay I'm okay" interpretation of this, I would interpret it as a way of recognizing that there are multiple ways of establishing value systems in the world. Schools have historically given preference to the Christian value system on the issue of sexuality. I guess I just don't understand why a Christian (or any of the big three) value system should be the only one taught in schools.
I went to a Christian school as a kid. I guess I never thought of my education as indoctrination as much as learning in an environment that had a particular point of view. Why, in a public school, can't the same thing be done -- teaching things from different points of views. Especially if it is an attempt to de-stigmify something that all too often leads to hate crimes in this country.
(Sorry if none of that makes sense. I just woke up and I never make sense for a few hours after waking.)
I've intended on contributing to the discussion, but I've been way too busy. With a surprising few minutes, I'll contribute something to the discussion. If I don't reply to any response, "busy-ness" is to blame.
Bringing a porn star to career day is an interesting concept. Even more so if you bring one on "show and tell" day. But I digress...
As a former educator, I see a couple of issues getting mixed together here. #1: In the elementary classroom, when we're learning about families, etc. - what gets taught there. #2: In the middle/high school years in regard to sex education - what gets taught there.
Let's stick with the former since that's the situation reported in the article. (In other words, this is not a discussion on the sexual aspects, but on the social aspects.)
Joe writes: "What I am against is someone else teaching my children that homosexuality is a perfectly acceptable lifestyle choice." Your only problem will be that public educators can't avoid this very thing - since it IS a perfectly acceptable lifestyle choice in our country.
If Heather is in your class, I don't think the other kiddos are going to let you practice "don't ask, don't tell." Kindergarteners practice the philosophy "ask all" instead. So how do you respond? (a) Heather, your mommies are sinners? (No, can't do that); (b) Your mommies are unacceptable/not okay (can't see that one either); (c) or, there are different types of families in our community - and hem and haw and act like you always do when you try to teach uncomfortable subjects to kids who cannot tie their own shoes?
As in all ACT training, go with "c."
This is a discussion on how to best go about "choice c" in a classroom. It is not teaching about sexuality per se, but a teaching of social structures on a basic level to little kids.
To Joe's point, I don't want people teaching my children that abandoning your spouse through divorce is a perfectly acceptable lifestyle - to the extent that that I want my children to see that as the way to go. But I DO WANT my child's elementary teacher to teach her that some kids have only one parent and this does not make them beneath us or above us or whatever. That they are "okay." That's just the way it is in these parts.
We get to talking about sex several years after kindergarten, and then its a different level of discussions.
The guy in the article needs to home school his kids if he doesn't want them to learn that there are different family structures in his community. And burn his television sets. And lock his doors. And refuse to get to know the neighbors.
Also Joe, I liked your list of things everyone should be taught. Especially the Bill and Ted reference. Silly, yes, but very true. And, I liked something you mention at the very beginning of your first post -- Mr. Parker being involved in his child's education. Even if I disagree with Mr. Parker, it's always good to see parents caring about their child's education. Having two parents who are educators, and having worked one year in an elementary school, I've learned this isn't nearly as common as it should be.
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