Let’s talk about SEX baby, Let’s talk about you and me, just not at school?

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Sex Education; a touchy subject for many on all levels. Sex is often considered a taboo topic in many societies, especially in the Caribbean cultures. Discussing it openly might be seen as inappropriate or indecent, and there are several reasons for this. Let’s take a look at some of these reasons.

Caribbean cultures are influenced by conservative values and religious beliefs that emphasize modesty, chastity, and abstinence before marriage. Discussing sex openly might conflict with these traditional values, making it uncomfortable for parents to broach the subject. Some parents might worry that talking about sex will encourage their children to engage in sexual activities. They might believe that avoiding the topic will discourage their children from becoming sexually active at an early age.

In my case, I had to deal with an older generation of Caribbean parents. When I was younger, I grew up in a home environment where discussing sex was strongly discouraged. This generational gap in attitudes and beliefs made it challenging for my parents to initiate conversations about sex with me. I truly believe that my parents found it difficult to communicate openly and effectively about sensitive topics like sex. I don’t think they knew how to initiate these conversations or handle my questions and reactions.

These discussions surrounding sex are very important, and the question now is how do we handle them as a community? How do we work together on all levels to ensure that our children are being exposed safely to this topic?

A recent Parents As First Educators (PAFE) blog post revealed a shocking truth: a parent was told there’s “No way to ‘opt-out’ of the… Ford/Wynne sex-ed curriculum” in a York Region District School (YRDS). This is despite Premier Doug Ford’s 2018 promise to allow parents the choice to opt out.

Liz Davis, the Superintendent of Schools for YRDS, refused the opt-out request on the grounds that it would prevent the student from “Developing an understanding of equity and inclusion.”  She also declared that parents opting their child out of sex education lessons VIOLATES the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Her statement does not come as a surprise, since it has been reported that other school boards in Ontario, including Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the Halton District School Board (HDSB), have told parents the same thing.

There are groups of parents across Canada who are raising their voices against what they call a radical sex-ed curriculum being taught in Canadian schools. Their voices should be considered, especially after seeing what has occurred in the provinces of New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs placed stronger parental rights against Policy 713, which currently allows children, who decided to “change” gender at school, to give their parents’ “consent” to know that they have done so. Parents are standing behind him since his new policy will make parental consent mandatory for teachers to refer to students under age 16 by different names or pronouns.

Likewise, Premier Scott Moe’s conservative Saskatchewan Party has listened to parents concerned about radical sex education being taught to children by the school and 3^rd parties, including Planned Parenthood. He has not only banned Planned Parenthood and other 3^rd parties from teaching radical sex-ed in the schools, but he will also allow parents access to the curriculum and decide what’s appropriate for their child to participate in.

What are your thoughts parents in Ontario; how do you feel your rights are being respected by the school boards your children are in?