Our Children almost lost their Innocence

Just two days after declaring a revamp to the sex education curriculum in Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty backed down, and decided to give it more thought after a huge public outcry from Parents and churches alike.
I was flabbergasted to read the proposed changes, and seriously considered yanking my kids out of the classroom.
I'm aware you can't shield your kids from everything..but how young is too young to talk about sex?
Puberty used to be the starting point...not grade 1.
Children not only come home and discuss what they learn in school..some act it out.
This could easily lead to innocent children thinking no harm, being curious about the body parts of a sibling, relative or other child..and molestation charges could ensue or worse.
They are too young to grasp the harm of the action.
Here is a rundown of what the "NEW" curriculum would have been, before it was withdrawn.

Grade 1 — Body parts, including correct terminology for genitalia

Grade 2 — Stages of human development

Grade 3 — Healthy relationships, differences and how they make humans unique (discussion could include sexual orientation, physical abilities, cultural values)

Grade 4 — Puberty and physical/social impact (currently taught in Gr. 5)

Grade 5 — Reproductive system, menstruation, spermatogenesis, emotional stresses of puberty

Grade 6 — Emotional, social and physical changes of adolescence (discussion could include wet dreams, erections, vaginal lubrication — “normal things that happen as a result of physical changes” — and masturbation, “something that many people will do and find pleasurable”)

Grade 7 — Delaying sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections (STI), pregnancy and STI prevention (possible discussion of vaginal/anal/oral sex as ways of transmitting infections)

Grade 8 – Making decisions about sexual activity; sexual health/abstinence/safe sex; gender identity (male/female/transgendered/transsexual).

www.parentcentral.ca...

Our children are already growing up to fast due to things they see OUTSIDE of the classroom.Do they really need this to start in grade 1?
Gives new meaning to shock and awe.

Good thread!

It's funny you post this because my son just came home yesterday with a little 'credit card' stating that he passed the class on "good touch, bad touch" and that his body is his property and no one may touch him without his ok basically.

Now ... My concern is this; Why was I not informed that he was even having a class on this issue?! I had no idea it was happening and I am always involved in how he is doing, what he is doing in school, what needs to be worked on etc. So, why, as a parent of a 1st grader am I being left out of the loop on a very serious subject?

I have every intention on calling the school and having a meeting but I believe in calming down and sorting thoughts before I go in there like a bull in a china shop.

This absolutely floored me when I saw his card though. Now, I understand that even as young children they need to be aware but since when does the school find it their business to take over a parental role on what our children learn about sexuality and when? I also understand that there are sick indivuals out there that wouldn't mind making our kids into victims to put it lamely. But I see that as my job to teach them right and wrong 'touches'. And didn't we used to have the right to say no, my children won't be attending this class?

This has really blown me away. I thought it was just my son's school pulling this crap so early. Apparently, it's a widespread thing.

~Tragic~

reply to post by AccessDenied



How 'bout this..?


The parents need to sign a form declaring at what age their children should be introduced to this topic...


If they sign it for 6, then the kids gets thrown into that group...if they sign it for 16, well, they get thrown into that group, and get to enjoy the the ridicule and harassment from the other students for having parents that waited that long to introduce the topic to their kids.


Or wait - here's another novel idea...the responsibility is taken from the schools and given to the parents..?


No complaints, no more paperwork, nada...just the parents getting the opportunity to discuss a subject that should have been kept at home in the first place.


Winner, winner - Chicken Dinner..!

Well it started for me when my son in grade 3 came home to tell me his class was learning about hiv/aids. FLOORED ME!
You cannot teach that without sex and drug education.
Apparently they packaged it into a fitness theme after a young man who was a hemophiliac died of aids.
I have no clue how the intertwined the two,cause it makes no sense to me.
Here is the program...
www.patrick4life.org...

Originally posted by happygolucky
reply to post by AccessDenied

 

How 'bout this..?


The parents need to sign a form declaring at what age their children should be introduced to this topic...


If they sign it for 6, then the kids gets thrown into that group...if they sign it for 16, well, they get thrown into that group, and get to enjoy the the ridicule and harassment from the other students for having parents that waited that long to introduce the topic to their kids.


Or wait - here's another novel idea...the responsibility is taken from the schools and given to the parents..?


No complaints, no more paperwork, nada...just the parents getting the opportunity to discuss a subject that should have been kept at home in the first place.


Winner, winner - Chicken Dinner..!

I'm not saying sex ed should be eliminated..not at all..only that they proposed teaching it to much younger children earlier than they need to know that stuff.

reply to post by AccessDenied


Exactly, there is no reason my 7yr old son needs to be learning about sex. Yes, I know kids younger and younger these days are experimenting. But he already knew the difference between good and bad touches. I teach that early in life. Sex, now that is a different matter.

My point being why put it in their heads cause regular kids his age are not thinking about that. My son, for instance is concerned with cartoons, playing with his friends, video games, pokemon and getting as many sweets as he can.

~Tragic~

[edit on 23-4-2010 by Tragic]

The Question that first needs to be asked is:
What is so bad about Sex? It's a natural thing and there's nothing bad about it.

Of course Kids shouldn't have Sex, but once puberty kicks in, they have a sexdrive so to speak and it's natural. The question would be, when does puberty starts? Nobody knows for sure
I say: You can't talk about Sex soon enough, not only have you tell kids about what it is but also warn them about pregnancy, stds and all that stuff. We don't live in the 50's there's no need for the stupid stories about "the stork who brings the babies".
I say start telling kids at age 9, 10 about Sex, tell them everything about them, warn them about everything that's to warn about. Because that's usually the age kids use computers and once they're one the internet they will discover and learn how to use porn-sites and it's way better, kids learn about sex from their parents or even teachers and not from Sasha Grey

reply to post by AccessDenied


Well, this is where my not being a parent, yet, but still seeing common sense as necessary comes into play as far as I am concerned, and the differences between countries as well comes into this level of education.

Personally, as far as school is concerned, I have zero issues with biology being taught, meaning the human body and its functions, at Grade 5 or 6.

Anything else, up to and including Birth Control, the birds and the bees, and or Sex Education, belongs at home, and parents need to be responsible enough to teach it, and do it with maturity and teach it according to their beliefs.

Public School is where how our body is seen is an individuality, and a part of the conforming to the norm problem of society is evolved, and at home is where independence, individuality, and the inculcation of body should be taught.

I remember seeing a thread about the United Nations teaching about sex.

I was kind of shocked, because a Government, let alone an International Body of Government's has no place teaching about Sex Education.

Quote from :

UNESCO Issues Voluntary Sex Education Guidelines To Help Young People

27 August 2009 – New voluntary sexuality education guidelines have been issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to help young people learn how to protect themselves against HIV and against abuse and exploitation.

The International Guidelines on Sexuality Education also arms educators with guidance on how children and youth can acquire the knowledge to prevent unintended pregnancies and transmission of sexually-transmitted infections.

Over 5 million young people are living with HIV worldwide and nearly half of all new infections occur among young people between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

AccessDenied, what you're seeing coming into your children's school is most likely a direct, at least, if not indirect influence due to the United Nations.

They are claiming the right to your children's bodies, through education.

By using demographics from Third World countries, they hope to scare people of better countries into using ther programs, with being able to educate.

Quote from : Wikipedia : World Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health.

Established on 7 April 1948, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health Organization, which had been an agency of the League of Nations.

We saw their ineffectiveness in stopping "Swine Flu" on the Mexican/American border.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child


[edit on 23-4-2010 by SpartanKingLeonidas]

Spartan my friend..I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Yet here is a case of the left hand, not knowing what the right hand is doing.According to the law in Canada, the legal age of consent for sex is 16.
www2.parl.gc.ca...

....children under 14 "may not have the experience or the maturity to make decisions in their own best interests about their own sexuality, a case can reasonably be made to prevent their exposure to sexual activity regardless of their purported consent.

IT IS AGAINST THE LAW for children under that age to engage in sexual activity..not just with someone older, but younger as well, as enforced by child welfare authorities also.
Until the age of 16, a person is classed AS A CHILD and is to be protected from all forms of sexual touching.
If you had a nine year old child who came home from wherever talking explicitely about sex..would you not be concerned?
Now, have that adult be your childs teacher..
And yet, Childrens aid Ontario will remove a child from the care of a parent who even speaks that way, of the birds and the bees with a child of that age.

age inappropriate sexually explicit drawing and/or descriptions
bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge

www.oacas.org...

This scenario had the possibility of turning into a disaster for many a family as their curious children came home from school armed with new knowledge.

reply to post by AccessDenied


Hey AccessDenied, you're preaching to the choir, sweetheart.

The problem stems from lazy parents, irresponsible parents, and immature parents.

That is not directing that at anyone specifically, I am speaking about people who would rather give up their rights to teach their children, because of being uncomfortable to speak about this rather important topic.

While not a parent, yet, I look forward to raising my children.

They will be politically aware, educated, and as well know what they need to know.

Then again, I was taught responsibility at a young age, something I see as lost on today's society, teaching responsibility, manners, and respect.

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
reply to post by AccessDenied

 

Hey AccessDenied, you're preaching to the choir, sweetheart.

The problem stems from lazy parents, irresponsible parents, and immature parents.

That is not directing that at anyone specifically, I am speaking about people who would rather give up their rights to teach their children, because of being uncomfortable to speak about this rather important topic.

While not a parent, yet, I look forward to raising my children.

They will be politically aware, educated, and as well know what they need to know.

Then again, I was taught responsibility at a young age, something I see as lost on today's society, teaching responsibility, manners, and respect.

*sigh..I know that.
But, had it not been for a bunch of parents speaking out against it, this curriculum would have been phased in.
It starts with just one voice of protest...

Originally posted by AccessDenied
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW for children under that age to engage in sexual activity..not just with someone older, but younger as well, as enforced by child welfare authorities also.
Until the age of 16, a person is classed AS A CHILD and is to be protected from all forms of sexual touching.

And a lot of kids have their first sex between the age of 13 and 14, some even younger, most start with 15 or 16. They don't care about law and why should they? Sex isn't something only adults can do and beside, some centuries ago it was normal for kids to marry and even have children...maybe because thats natural?
Just think about: Puberty kicks in, girls can get pregnant and boys can impregnante girls. With animals it's the same, the moment they're ready to breed, they breed and isn't the oppinion especially on this site, that humans are nothing more than animals?

No, i don't want to see kids having kids, god beware. But Sex is also great fun and what speaks against fun as long as they do it the safe way? Everybody enjoys sex, even some animals like dolphins have sex just for the fun of it

reply to post by AccessDenied


All it takes is one voice.

One Voice


Imagine, if we were politically aware, instead of politically correct.

Imagine, if we were responsible adults, instead of immature idiots.

Imagine, if we were socially adept, instead of socially inept.

Imagine, if we taught our children, instead of learning from them.

Imagine, if we learned our children's day by asking, instead of getting a teachers note.

Imagine, if we taught our children about politics, instead of politically crippling them.

Imagine, if we read the newspaper to our children, instead of allowing television to raise them.

All it takes is one voice.

reply to post by ShadowAngel85

But Sex is also great fun and what speaks against fun as long as they do it the safe way? Everybody enjoys sex, even some animals like dolphins have sex just for the fun of it

I cannot believe you just used "sex is fun" as an argument in a thread about teaching sex ed to 6 year olds.
I'm not talking 13 and 14..where sex ed has usually been taught, at puberty...it may not be right, or even legal...but it is a far cry from a child too young to understand.

Originally posted by SpartanKingLeonidas
reply to post by AccessDenied

 

All it takes is one voice.

One Voice

Imagine, if we were politically aware, instead of politically correct.

Imagine, if we were responsible adults, instead of immature idiots.

Imagine, if we were socially adept, instead of socially inept.

Imagine, if we taught our children, instead of learning from them.

Imagine, if we learned our children's day by asking, instead of getting a teachers note.

Imagine, if we taught our children about politics, instead of politically crippling them.

Imagine, if we read the newspaper to our children, instead of allowing television to raise them.

All it takes is one voice.

You are a wealth of knowledge my friend..and inspiration.

reply to post by AccessDenied


I think we can agree that sex ed is or should be a parent's job. It is not up to the school or government to decide when or how that topic should be taught. Children mature at different ages; knowledge that one child may be ready for may not be the knowledge another child is ready for. Further, why should the government decide the morals and standards that our children are taught; that is rightly our decision.

I too, would be outraged had my child's school decided on a curriculum of that type for those ages. My child attended Catholic schools; we notified by the state that if we wished the schools to continue to be accredited we had to incorporate a sex ed curriculum that met state standards; so it was added but at an older age and emphasized the emotional aspects of the decision to have sex. Parents were required to be involved with the class and to read the material being taught so we were aware of what exactly was being taught and how.

I'm really confused by the outrage here...

I understand where people want to be informed what their kids are learning in school. That makes sense and is good parenting, but what, really, is so wrong with teaching a first grader what to call the thing between their legs?

a second grader the stages of development

teaching a third grader about healthy relationships would do wonders for society. Maybe help stop a few dysfunctional people before they get there...help a few see that their own parents are dysfunctional and not to continue the tradition

If I knew what puberty was in 4th grade, I would not have been freaked by it when it happened. You know what my school told me? "You're going to start sweating and growing hair everywhere. Here's some old spice deodorant put it on every day.

I could go on, but to me it really doesn't seem like a bad idea on the surface. What does the actual lessons look like? Does anyone have access to that?

Should you have the option to pull your children from this class...if it's that big of a problem...fine whatever. But you are sending a message that this is a sort of thing to be ashamed of. It's not. WE ALL WENT THROUGH PUBERTY. I'd be willing to bet cash money that in the long term, this would be a positive thing for a society.

As the old adage goes "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!"

Ugh!!! My son knew nothing of sex until he turned 13, swear to God. The nite He told me he thought babies came out of a womans butt, I knew it was time. I was going to have 'the' talk with him but opted out. Not bcuz I was slackin as a parent in that area, but bcuz I didnt think I would do it justice. I bought him this awesome book that explains everything, I mean everything. From puberty, to oral sex. The oral sex was in reference to that it was just as risky as vaginal sex and protection should be used. I told him to read it and if he had any questions to hit me up. Some might think the oral sex is going too far but young kids are having crazy sex nowadays, including oral sex. Kids need to taught how to protect themselves. I dont care what anyone says, if they want to have sex they will find a way. Short of handcuffing urself to them theyre gonna find a way. When I was younger I was told I could get an STD. What the heck is an STD? It seemed so far removed. Kids need to know that their peter's gonna fall off if they dont use protection. My son asked what herpes was, I didnt say it was an STD. I told him exactly what it does. That it causes nasty ass weepy blisters and sores on ur penis, therefore, use a condom. He had a disgusting visual and that was my point.
Now, check this crap out. The 7th graders are doing sex ed. The teacher sat out a box and the kids could put any questions they have concerning the subject While remaining anonymous. Ive never heard of half this crap- so I looked it up. One was 'whats a queef' (love the SP episode of queefs). '*What is a blue waffle?' WTH? *A blue waffle?? I looked it up and wondered how in hell it was pertinant to sex ed?? Crude questions. Not befitting of 13 yr olds.
*Disclaimer_ look this nastiness up at ur own risk, and it is nasty.

Peace. K*

reply to post by iamsupermanv2


When you send a child to school..they learn that the teachers there teach them by words, numbers, pictures or whatever..and they are to act on what they have learned in class.That is what they learn in kindergarten. They don't know how to tell the difference at a young age whether it means "act it out' or store the knowledge away for "when I'm older".
THAT is the issue.
Body parts, reproduction, sexuality..should be up to the parents to teach, when the child is ready.
I don't agree with a pre packaged know all curriculum.
And for those who would argue , well your kids will hear it from friends, internet..blah blah blah...
It is up to me, how to handle that situation as a parent. And internet should ALWAYS be monitored..seriously.

reply to post by AccessDenied


I disagree with your first part. A kindergarten kid can recall what the color blue "means". They may not use that knowledge for days, weeks, months, but they still will be able to recall blue when they see blue.

What's so wrong with telling them this is a penis, this is a vagina? (not to mention the OP says body parts, including the correct terms for the genitalia, which leads me to believe it includes more then just the genitals.)

Fair enough that you want to teach your kids this stuff, but what happens to that kid with the parent that refuses to even discuss something like this? My mom never did. My sex ed from her was "if you have sex while living in my house and I find out, you are dead" that was it. If that was all I got, I would have been screwed.

Again I'll ask, has any lesson break down been put out so we can REALLY decide if this is such a bad thing?