Taking on sex-ed special interests
Re Feeling ‘hopeless, ’ parents weigh other
school options, Sept. 3 Tony Pontes, director of the Peel School Board, is my new hero. For a politician to stand up to a vocal special interest group and express open opposition, publicly, is rare to the point of unprecedented.
In this case, the special-interest group is made up of the intolerant, the naive, (some) new Canadians and the culturally and religiously backward whose core values do not coincide with the intrinsic Canadian values that we hold so dear — the culture of tolerance, inclusion and a welcoming openness to everyone who does or would like to share them.
“We cannot — we will not — by action or inaction endorse discrimination,” said Mr. Pontes. He also tells parents that if they cannot or will not allow their children to participate in the new sex-ed curriculum, then perhaps the “public school” system is not for them.
Public means “everybody.” There is no room for antiquated religious and cultural morality in this time of sexting, Internet porn, predators and bullies, changing universal acceptance of alternate lifestyles, and the sexual curiosity that is and has always been inherent in pubescent teens. We must equip our kids with the best and most current information, with which to protect themselves and make good decisions. Religious and cultural intolerance is not the way.
Full credit to Tony Pontes. We could certainly use more people like him to seek higher office. Rob Cowan, Toronto Tony Pontes says that those who don’t want to learn about a particular group of others might want to go elsewhere for their education. I disagree. It is time for us to realize that public education is our most powerful tool in integrating people from around the world into our society. For the human values that we acknowledge and treasure here in Canada to continue to be our societal foundation, all children must be educated in them.
I am a Catholic. My children went to Catholic schools, but it is time for us to stop supporting religiously based schools. In fact, it is time to insist that all students receive their education in public schools. To fail to do so is to risk the continuation and growth of values that are directly at odds with the human values Canadian society is built on. Jacques Soucie, Newmarket It is disheartening to read of parents who wish to deny their children the opportunity of learning age-appropriate information about human sexuality.
Some of these adults apparently believe that being homosexual or transgender is a choice. Perhaps if they understood that sexual orientation and gender identity are congenital and that up to 10 per cent of their own children are struggling with these issues, they would want to provide them with knowledge, support and understanding.
There is a high suicide rate among LGBT youth due to lack of knowledge and parental support. Children are aware from a very young age that they are different and the new curriculum could save lives and prevent bullying.
At an appropriate age, kids need to learn to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies, STDs, sexting, etc. Keeping one’s children ignorant is abusive and dangerous. Anne Morris-Dadson, Richmond Hill Those opposed to a revised sex-ed curriculum will never have the frank discussions with their kids that will make them better-rounded human beings. Perhaps we should post this new curriculum on YouTube in a video format so kids with questions their overly pious parents are too afraid to answer could be addressed. We need to stem this tide of ignorance once and for all. Ignorance is bliss is not an option in the 21st century. Richard Kadziewicz, Scarborough If the new sex-ed is delivered fully, it is possible for this next generation to live without shame and fear and possibly less abuse. I’m afraid for the children who won’t receive the benefits of scientific, fact-based, shame-less information.
I’m afraid it will be the children who are left “feeling hopeless.” Kendra Grant, Toronto Intentional ignorance of the facts, bigotry and intolerance are par for the course when it comes to “faith-based” organizations’ approach to this subject. Failure to provide their children with the necessary knowledge to cope in our modern society will inevitably lead to a generation with a split identity trying to live a 21st-century life with a first-century education. That maybe OK for the par- ents, but for the kids it’s no life at all.
If these parents cared for their children at all they would cease their futile efforts and, perhaps, attend the sex-ed classes themselves to get a proper education. Steven Reeve, Thornhill Would someone please educate the parents who are planning to send their children to private school or who are thinking of home schooling because they disagree with the new sex-education program? The law allows them to withdraw from that class; it is not mandatory. Why in the world would they pull them from everything? Gail Bennett, Toronto What a brilliant way to fire some of the highest-maintenance “clients” and free up some operational headroom in a tight business. Greg Kusiak, St Catharines, Ont.