Community News
Parents: do you feel that you have a say in how your child learns about sex, and sexuality?
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
The question of what our children are taught about sex in schools is a complex and often contentious issue especially right now in Ontario. Parents, educators, and policymakers have differing views on this matter.
In many democracies, education is typically a shared responsibility between parents and the state, and curriculum decisions are made by elected officials, school boards, and educators. Some parents argue for comprehensive sex education programs that provide information on topics like anatomy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), consent, and relationships. Proponents believe that comprehensive sex education helps young people make informed decisions about their sexual health and safety.
Other parents advocate for abstinence-only education, which emphasizes refraining from sexual activity until marriage. Supporters argue that this approach aligns with certain cultural or religious values and promotes abstinence as the safest choice.
Another point of contention is whether to include information about LGBTQ+ relationships and identities in sex education curricula. Advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion argue that it promotes: tolerance, acceptance, and diversity, while opponents have religious, or ideological objections.
In the Caribbean community, thoughts tend to lean towards parents having a greater say in what their children are taught about sex and relationships. They argue that decisions about sex education should be made at the local level and be sensitive to the values and beliefs of individual communities. Due to this, it is important that I let Caribbean parents know exactly what is happening when it comes to this issue. It seems that parents are continually losing more freedoms regarding their child’s education in Ontario schools. Here is what’s happening.
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. Davis’ statement does not come as a surprise, since many 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.
Parents’ rights to opt out are being denied on the grounds that their religious beliefs “infringe upon” the school’s “rights” to teach these controversial subjects. Our government believes that the current curriculum is rightfully grounded in reality and should be upheld by the Charter and the Human Rights Code, especially when topics like homosexuality, masturbation, and “gender theory and expression” are being taught to children of all ages.
The Ontario school boards and the Ford government rightfully know it’s inappropriate to teach these things to impressionable children, especially when the lessons seem to be designed to groom children into the LGBT lifestyle by having them start questioning their biological sex.
The Minister of Education, trustees, and superintendents will listen if the community continues to raise their voices against this radical sex-ed curriculum being taught in Canadian schools. Our voices do matter, 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 3rd parties, including Planned Parenthood. He has not only banned Planned Parenthood and other 3rd 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.
It’s important to note that changes in sex education policies often reflect evolving societal attitudes, research findings, and public health considerations. While some parents may feel that their rights are being restricted, others believe that comprehensive sex education is necessary to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to make responsible decisions about their sexual health. Community, what are your thoughts? Do you feel that you have a say in how your child learns about sex, and sexuality?