Should Christians be OK with the State teaching sex to Kendergarteners?

Misleading title for the article. In the announcement it says nothing about Kindergarteners being taught sex ed.

Slaol121 said:

Yes it does.

"The proposed policy will set more modern standards for instruction of students from kindergarten through 12th grade and, for younger grades, will integrate aspects of family life education that were a part of the previous policy. The new policy will also establish a minimum number of instructional minutes and topic areas for all grades; previously, a standard was in place for fifth grade students only.

The proposed new policy breaks down instruction to conform to specific age groups. For K-4 students, instruction will center on anatomy and physiology, reproduction, healthy relationships and personal safety."

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Ok, I stand corrected. I missed that some way.

Why wouldn't Christians be ok with it, unless, "Oh no, sex is dirty"? As if sex is some bad thing children shouldn't know about.

Slaol121 said:

An announcement was made last month from the Chicago Public School system that there will now be mandatory sex-ed for K-12.

See the announcement here: Chicago Public Schools : Chicago Board of Education to Consider Proposed New Health Education Policy

“It is important that we provide students of all ages with accurate and appropriate information so they can make healthy choices in regards to their social interactions, behaviors, and relationships,” Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said in the announcement about the policy. “By implementing a new sexual health education policy, we will be helping them to build a foundation of knowledge that can guide them not just in the pre-adolescent and adolescent years, but throughout their lives.”


I personally believe that all education on ethics and morality should start in the home. As a physician, I also understand the current situation that exists with regards to teenage pregnancies, abortions, STDs, etc...

My question is this:

Should Christians be OK with the State taking it upon themselves to provide a mandatory foundation for young childrens' views with regards to sexuality?

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I would think all parents would be outraged over this usurpation of their authority.

Things like this just make me all the more glad we homeschool.

"For K-4 students, instruction will center on anatomy and physiology, reproduction, healthy relationships and personal safety."

As written, I don't see anything wrong with that. 4 and 5 year-olds should certainly know the differences between boys and girls, and proper anatomical names. And they should know what's private, and when touching is wrong.

But parents/guardians should be offered an opt-out if they object.

Without knowledge of just what will be taught, it's impossible for me to come to an informed opinion.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Parents should raise their children and not the state and every parent should be poutraged at the state usurping their authority and undermining their values. The state should not be in the business of trying to raise children. Teachers should teach and parents should parent. Then we wonder why the morals are the way they are and why kids coming out of school are so ill prepared.

jayem said:

"For K-4 students, instruction will center on anatomy and physiology, reproduction, healthy relationships and personal safety."

As written, I don't see anything wrong with that. 4 and 5 year-olds should certainly know the differences between boys and girls, and proper anatomical names. And they should know what's private, and when touching is wrong.

But parents/guardians should be offered an opt-out if they object.

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It's my understanding that there is an opt-out option. But the problem is that I believe most parents have been brainwashed to believe that the school isn't supposed to submit to them or their authority. We train children from the first day of school to view teachers and school administrators as an unquestionable, infallible, all powerful authority. Why shouldn't that continue on into adulthood, particularly when other elements of government are so authoritarian?

I have a close friend who is a doctor and he tells me all the time that he has to be very careful what he tells his patients because they have been trained by society not to question doctors, and that he has to remind them that, if they have any questions, to ask, even ask for a second opinion, research ths issue for themselves or, God forbid, say "no".

Same with schools.

In a previous post, I mentioned that we homeschool. I can't tell you how many people respond to that little bit of trivia by saying, "Really??? You mean you...you teach your children yourselves? But...but...only teachers are capable of teaching! You've got to send them to a real government school so they can be taught by professionals!"

I wish parents knew how much authority they have when it comes to government schools.

Remember, government schools, were only meant to suppliment what children were being taught at home, not to replace it and, nowadays, for all but a very few, government schools have become the primary teacher and have taken authority in loco parentis to mean that they are the supreme authority, not an authority over children at the pleasure of the parents, to whom they are to submit.

In other words, government schools are getting too big for their britches and it's time for parents to take their schools back and opting out of classes or programs they don't like is the first step to doing that.

Paradoxum said:

Why wouldn't Christians be ok with it, unless, "Oh no, sex is dirty"? As if sex is some bad thing children shouldn't know about.

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Actually for the Kindergarten instruction I'm going to bet teh kids are told sex is NOT appropriate for their age and to report anyone who tries to initiate a sexual encounter.

Eric Hibbert said:

It's my understanding that there is an opt-out option. But the problem is that I believe most parents have been brainwashed to believe that the school isn't supposed to submit to them or their authority. We train children from the first day of school to view teachers and school administrators as an unquestionable, infallible, all powerful authority. Why shouldn't that continue on into adulthood, particularly when other elements of government are so authoritarian?

I have a close friend who is a doctor and he tells me all the time that he has to be very careful what he tells his patients because they have been trained by society not to question doctors, and that he has to remind them that, if they have any questions, to ask, even ask for a second opinion, research ths issue for themselves or, God forbid, say "no".

Same with schools.

In a previous post, I mentioned that we homeschool. I can't tell you how many people respond to that little bit of trivia by saying, "Really??? You mean you...you teach your children yourselves? But...but...only teachers are capable of teaching! You've got to send them to a real government school so they can be taught by professionals!"

I wish parents knew how much authority they have when it comes to government schools.

Remember, government schools, were only meant to suppliment what children were being taught at home, not to replace it and, nowadays, for all but a very few, government schools have become the primary teacher and have taken authority in loco parentis to mean that they are the supreme authority, not an authority over children at the pleasure of the parents, to whom they are to submit.

In other words, government schools are getting too big for their britches and it's time for parents to take their schools back and opting out of classes or programs they don't like is the first step to doing that.

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Bolding mine.

I generally do not think the option to homeschool is a good one. BUT I find that attitute very scarry.

jayem said:

"For K-4 students, instruction will center on anatomy and physiology, reproduction, healthy relationships and personal safety."

As written, I don't see anything wrong with that. 4 and 5 year-olds should certainly know the differences between boys and girls, and proper anatomical names. And they should know what's private, and when touching is wrong.

But parents/guardians should be offered an opt-out if they object.

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I don't knowfor sure for Chicago, or technically for Los Angeles now. But I do know for sure for Los Angeles a few years ago. You could opt out.

Oh and I know that for at least one school the Health teacher (Sex Ed was a unit in the High School health class) that the teacher tried very hard to get input and give information to the parents. It happened my work was only a mile from the school and I decided to go and and find out for myself.

I was pleased with the proposed curiculum, well balanced and neither abstinence only or just wrap it.

The teacher was thrilled with the parental turnout. She had 3 or 4 large classes (at least 40 students each). Counting me she had 2 parents show up.

People moan and complain and then can't be bothered to actually do something. (Which might be why we do need school taught sex ed).

Slaol121 said:

I personally believe that all education on ethics and morality should start in the home.

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So what is stopping people from doing this?

47% illiterate in chicago.
why don't they teach children to read and write more effectively in chicago?

http://www.christianforums.com/t7728287/

Eric Hibbert said:

I would think all parents would be outraged over this usurpation of their authority.

Things like this just make me all the more glad we homeschool.

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Why send your kids to school if you don't want them educated?

And homeschooling just ensures your kids will never know more than you.

IanCG said:

Why send your kids to school if you don't want them educated?

And homeschooling just ensures your kids will never know more than you.

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Or just teach your kids your views. Whether they hear it at school or after they leave home, children are going to run into opinions that differ from the opinions of their parents. It's just a fact of life.

Also, it's not as if they are telling kindergartners that they should feel free to have all the promiscuous sex that they want no matter what their parents say.

IanCG said:

Why send your kids to school if you don't want them educated?

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Well, first of all, let's keep in mind that government schools aren't educating our children all that well. Remember, when statistics say that US students rank 18th in math and science among industrialized nations, that's talking about government schooled students, not homeschooled students.

So why should we saddle our children with an education system that can't do any better than 18th?

Second, it isn't the education (or lack thereof) that is the problem, as much as it is indoctrination into social mores and values that we may not want our children to have.

And homeschooling just ensures your kids will never know more than you.

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Interesting theory, since my children are far ahead of me in math and science.

Out of curiousity, how does homeschooling ensure that your kids will never know more than you? By extension, wouldn't this also mean that government schooled children will never no more than their government school teacher?

Luckily, they have more than one teacher.

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So what are those other teachers doing to overcome that 18th place ranking?

Just curious, how do you effectively teach at a level beyond your own understanding?

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You either ask for help or you rely on good materials. In my case, my background is in the humanities, so I can teach history, English, theology, philosophy, political science, civics, Latin, Greek, etc, but I need help with math and science. That's where having a physics and engineering professor father, an accountant wife, and about a dozen math and science related people in our local homeschool fellowship comes in handy.

Eric Hibbert said:

I would think all parents would be outraged over this usurpation of their authority.

Things like this just make me all the more glad we homeschool.

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What usurpation of authority? It is an usurpation to teach that the heart pumps blood? Is it usurpation to tell kids to look left and right before crossing the road? Why would teaching about sex be any different?

psalms 91 said:

Parents should raise their children and not the state and every parent should be poutraged at the state usurping their authority and undermining their values. The state should not be in the business of trying to raise children. Teachers should teach and parents should parent. Then we wonder why the morals are the way they are and why kids coming out of school are so ill prepared.

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Why would teaching about sex go against Christianity? I was taught sex education and was a good Christian girl throughout my school years. If your children don't keep to the religion it is your and your children's fault.

keith99 said:

Actually for the Kindergarten instruction I'm going to bet teh kids are told sex is NOT appropriate for their age and to report anyone who tries to initiate a sexual encounter.

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It is fine for children to be taught that, but it is rather strange for adults to think it is a dirty subject.

If they are taught facts, statistics, and law (ie: adults can't have sex with children) I see no reason why it would infringe on conservative 'morality'.

Eric Hibbert said:

Well, first of all, let's keep in mind that government schools aren't educating our children all that well. Remember, when statistics say that US students rank 18th in math and science among industrialized nations, that's talking about government schooled students, not homeschooled students.

So why should we saddle our children with an education system that can't do any better than 18th?

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Why do you think you would do a better job? And what about potential other goods that come from school, other than simple learning?

Second, it isn't the education (or lack thereof) that is the problem, as much as it is indoctrination into social mores and values that we may not want our children to have.

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Because you want to indoctrinate them into your opinions?

Children are much more likely to be indoctrinated at home than at school. Church and parenting can counteract general culture if done right.

But I guess it is up to you.

Eric Hibbert said:

Well, first of all, let's keep in mind that government schools aren't educating our children all that well. Remember, when statistics say that US students rank 18th in math and science among industrialized nations, that's talking about government schooled students, not homeschooled students.

So why should we saddle our children with an education system that can't do any better than 18th?

Second, it isn't the education (or lack thereof) that is the problem, as much as it is indoctrination into social mores and values that we may not want our children to have.



Interesting theory, since my children are far ahead of me in math and science.

Out of curiousity, how does homeschooling ensure that your kids will never know more than you? By extension, wouldn't this also mean that government schooled children will never no more than their government school teacher?

Click to expand...

Luckily, they have more than one teacher.

Just curious, how do you effectively teach at a level beyond your own understanding?