EMMERSON’S VIEW Subscribers weigh in on gender identity issue in schools
Columnist Sonya Bateson opines on the current gender debate. She believes: While society is far more accepting than it once was of people on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, she believes there are still many places that embrace anti-homosexuality beliefs and schools should not be among those places.
I still find it slightly ‘weird’ when men refer to their ‘husband’ [and women to their ‘wives’] also consider ‘marriage’ to be a religious ceremony — if you want to use husband/wife get married in a church and if not maybe use the term partner — redefining words like gay (used to mean happy but try using that way these days in your local) and rainbow (a pretty optical effect in the sky) — all for tolerance but not for changing the meaning of English to placate a small group of the population.
John H
In reply to John H:
The rainbow also has a deeper religious significance, which has also been redefined by the LGBTQ+ community, but hey, we don’t mind sharing. Harm B
All religious institutions have the right to follow their own doctrine. Helen T
In reply to Helen T:
Unless that doctrine impacts other people. Allistair M
I have no problem with a school with a specific basis providing info on that, provided it also provides alternative ideas enabling a level of critical thinking. Kathryn M
As the writer touches on, different societies have had various rules and restrictions on what constitutes marriage. New Zealand recognises same-sex marriage and this has not brought disruption to the country. However, same-sex marriage was a break from the traditional Christian definition of marriage. Unlike some countries, our politicians did not allow a referendum on the subject.
In any case, having the Government make something legal does not mean you have to agree with it. I suggest that many citizens still hold fast to the traditional
Christian view of marriage but at the same time they have no intention of disrupting the lives of those who think differently. They should, however, in their churches and schools and in public life, be able to enunciate their values and convictions. Bethlehem College is doing just this and the Education
Ministry seems to find this a problem. The ministry needs to be reminded that it does not own the schools or the children and is there
In reply to Denis M:
While I take your point that any private religious school can espouse their own religious values, the point here is that Bethlehem College is an integrated school and receives taxpayer funding. The Ministry of Education finds this a problem when the school does not live up to their side of the agreement. If Bethlehem College were to become completely private, then good luck to them but while they receive some of my taxes they need to alter their attitude. Grayson R
In reply to Denis M:
Thank you so much. I thought free thought, free expression and healthy respectful debate had disappeared completely from New Zealand society. Schools and parents need to have the freedom and the ability to work together to ensure our kids receive an education that reflects the learning and values the parents wish for their children. Failure to do that is a failure to ensure rights are respected for all. Kim B