Sex and Sexuality in the Classroom
Recently, a
law enforcement officer told me about a book that a daughter of a friend showed
him that came from one of her high school classes. The officer was shocked by what the girl
had told and shown him.
This officer joins a growing population
of parents who usually discover the realities of the situation inadvertently
through a worksheet or book left lying around by their teenager.
Many parents are of the mistaken belief
that the school isn't aware that this material is in the classroom or that the
school will be as shocked as the parents when they see the material.
Not so, however, in most cases. Parents are finding their teenagers
being exposed, in the classroom, to material that would otherwise be classified
as pornography. When the parents
address the matter with the teacher, school administrators, school district
personnel or school board, they often hear things like, "You're the only
parent who ever complained."
Parents have been accused, by school personnel, of being close-minded,
narrow-minded, dirty-minded, and attempting to interfere with the sexual rights
of teens. One parent was even told,
"Well, they are going to do it anyway. We might as well show them how."
Many parents come away from those
meetings dazed, wondering if their mind is playing tricks on them, they really
couldn't have heard what they just heard from people who claim they care about
children and have children's best interests in mind.
For many parents, this is a wake-up
call. Many have found their teen
being targeted, belittled, demeaned and humiliated by the teacher if the parent
addresses the matter with the teacher, school, district, or school board.
Many parents don't understand where the
material their child is being exposed to is coming from. Following are some of the links parents
can check out concerning material their child is being exposed to in the
classroom.
WARNING! While these
sites can be found by children searching the internet, it is not recommended
that parents expose their children to them.
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL)
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)
People for the American Way (PFAW)
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
(SIECUS)
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