I hope this is ok to post

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I will probably get flamed for this, but there is no way that I would want my child's teacher talking about abortion in a class room. Or course, neither do I want my child receiving birth control at school or being taught that sex before marriage is okay.

It is a spiritual/ethical decision for me. Therefore, unless both sides of the debate will be presented in a unbiased fashion (which will never happen), leave it for the parents.

No flames from me. I would assume, however, that if your child were in public school with mine you wouldn't sign the paperwork for them to participate, and that you'd be proactive about talking with your kids at home. Do those two things (or choose homeschool or a faith based school) and you'll get nothing but respect from me.

I do have a problem with someone signing the permission slip for their child to be in a sex ed class, and then not wanting topics related to sex ed discussed, or wanting the conversation to be biased in favor of their beliefs.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

No flames from me. I would assume, however, that if your child were in public school with mine you wouldn't sign the paperwork for them to participate, and that you'd be proactive about talking with your kids at home. Do those two things (or choose homeschool or a faith based school) and you'll get nothing but respect from me.

I do have a problem with someone signing the permission slip for their child to be in a sex ed class, and then not wanting topics related to sex ed discussed, or wanting the conversation to be biased in favor of their beliefs.

Exactly. I have much respect for a parent that opts out of the sex ed class or celebrations, etc due to religious beliefs. There is a child in my kid's school who has to go to the library for birthday or any celebration. The kids all respect her beliefs and support her.

However, I do have a problem with a parent that sends their child to a public school and then tries to mold the curriculum to their beliefs.

Knowing that life throws you curves and sometimes topics may be discussed that are not written in stone, opt out if you feel there may be topics that are taboo to your family to be discussed.

 

[Ppufi]

I've taught sex ed for this age group! There's always at least few in the class who watch shows like "SVU" and "Criminal Minds" at home, so they can be counted on to bring up some pretty hairy topics.

During our birth control class, a child volunteered that some people use abortion as birth control, and immediately another child replied that abortion murders babies. I told them that abortion ends a pregnancy. But not everyone agrees on exactly when an embryo becomes a baby, and there are difficult questions around what exactly is best for the individual pregnant woman. HOWEVER, one thing EVERYONE agrees on is that abortion is a very serious medical procedure, and it's not something anyone would choose to do for fun. So the best thing to do is not get pregnant in the first place.

Then I asked the class, "Who here can tell me how to prevent a pregnancy from happening?"

And then we covered different methods of pregnancy prevention, including abstinence. And we discussed methods to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg, too, which brought us briefly back to abortion.

Other classes covered STIs, fetal development, power issues in relationships, roles for men and women, the impact of advertising on our self image, and lots more.

I don't think your teacher did anything wrong here. When running a sex education class it is VERY important that the children feel safe to ask any question at all (we have an anonymous question box). And it's also important that they know that their questions will be answered, and that no one will judge them for asking.

I tend to fall back a lot on, "Some people believe A, and some people believe B. What you and your family believe is up to you, but just remember - in this classroom we have respect for everyone's beliefs."

Kudos to you!

 

[WDWFWfan]

I won't flame you. I very much disagree with you but you do have your right to your beliefs. I do have a serious question though and don't mean this snarkily or sarcastically. If you had such strong beliefs that are spiritually based wouldn't you send your kids to a school that shared the same belief structure? This isn't a judgment of the validity of what you believe but a public institution will teach a more science based curriculum (evolution vs creationism for example).

The nearest good option for a Christian school is over an hour away and quite expensive. Plus, our local school system is pretty good and I personally know many of their teachers (I also know where they stand on certain issues ...the theory of evolution, etc.). If it were not for that, home school would probably be an option.

 

[Art 1]

I will probably get flamed for this, but there is no way that I would want my child's teacher talking about abortion in a class room. Or course, neither do I want my child receiving birth control at school or being taught that sex before marriage is okay.

It is a spiritual/ethical decision for me. Therefore, unless both sides of the debate will be presented in a unbiased fashion (which will never happen), leave it for the parents.

The only things my 3 were taught in school about abortion are the evils of it, that it is taking a life and how many women and the fathers are traumatized afterwards. That's all there really is to teach about it.

 

[Ember]

The only things my 3 were taught in school about abortion are the evils of it, that it is taking a life and how many women and the fathers are traumatized afterwards. That's all there really is to teach about it.

Please stay on topic. We are not debating abortion, or our personal opinions on it, we are talking about how it should be approached in a classroom setting during sex ed at school. I'm sure many would find your remarks inflammatory and it would be a shame to see what has been a very civil thread closed.

 

[WDWFWfan]

I see you have a 10 and 12 year old at home. Have you talked about these subjects with them yet?

If not when?

Yes, I have talked with them and more than once.

And that is why, as a parent, you are allowed to have your child opt out of sex ed in school.

I cannot fathom any parent believing that children are not going to ask questions or that a discussion may take an unexpected turn in a school setting with a group of middle schoolers.

Children are going to make comments in class regarding their beliefs and other children are going to hear that.

For the most part children will repeat what they have heard and while kids might raise the issue, I don't want abortion presented as the only option, the best option, or in my beliefs "an" option.

No flames from me. I would assume, however, that if your child were in public school with mine you wouldn't sign the paperwork for them to participate, and that you'd be proactive about talking with your kids at home. Do those two things (or choose homeschool or a faith based school) and you'll get nothing but respect from me.

I do have a problem with someone signing the permission slip for their child to be in a sex ed class, and then not wanting topics related to sex ed discussed, or wanting the conversation to be biased in favor of their beliefs.

I didn't sign the paperwork and yes I have talked with my kids at home.

BTW, when it comes to deeply held beliefs (pro-life or pro-choice), people will always be biased. The question is whether or not the teacher agrees with what an individual wants taught. For example, I would suspect that those of the pro-choice persuasion might be upset if the teacher taught pro-life viewpoints and of course vice-verse.

 

[autumnpalm]

I do not have children yet, but when I do I plan on providing sex education at home. I am uncomfortable with the way public schools teach it and hope to provide an open, communicative environment where my kids can ask anything they are curious about and have answer provided, without judgment, in a way that is consistent with our beliefs.

I do not remember abortion being covered in sex ed when I was in school but I do think it is important that teens be educated on the facts of what it is. For parents who are comfortable with that in a public school setting, then I think that's a great place to do it and much better than a school yard conversation or internet search.

What is the point of providing sex ed if not to truly educate?

 

[WDWFWfan]

I do not have children yet, but when I do I plan on providing sex education at home. I am uncomfortable with the way public schools teach it and hope to provide an open, communicative environment where my kids can ask anything they are curious about and have answer provided, without judgment, in a way that is consistent with our beliefs.

I do not remember abortion being covered in sex ed when I was in school but I do think it is important that teens be educated on the facts of what it is. For parents who are comfortable with that in a public school setting, then I think that's a great place to do it and much better than a school yard conversation or internet search.

What is the point of providing sex ed if not to truly educate?

My concern is not the issue of education, but one of indoctrination. I don't have a problem with public schools teaching children what abortion is, I just don't want them advocating it as a viable option. To me that is a decision that each person has to make for themselves and middle school students can be quite impressionable.

 

[vettechick99]

The only things my 3 were taught in school about abortion are the evils of it, that it is taking a life and how many women and the fathers are traumatized afterwards. That's all there really is to teach about it.

 

[chobie]

My concern is not the issue of education, but one of indoctrination. I don't have a problem with public schools teaching children what abortion is, I just don't want them advocating it as a viable option. To me that is a decision that each person has to make for themselves and middle school students can be quite impressionable.

Is it ok to explain the procedure and tell them it's legal, or is that "advocating" in your opinion?

 

[livie1205]

You're bothered that your assumedly 16-17-18-year-old grade 12 student learned about abortion in school?

Wow.

he is 12 and in 6th grade

 

[livie1205]

Did it ever occur to you that your DS misunderstood the information, just as he might have misunderstood a math concept? The question came up during a discussion about pregnancy prevention; that doesn't mean that the teacher confirmed that it was a form of preventative birth control. Rather, the teacher may have agreed that it was a form a birth control that was a last resort.

You can get hung up on how your son understood or misunderstood the information all you want but the reality is that it occurred at an appropriate juncture in the lesson. Twelve is not too early an age to learn about unpleasant subjects but rather a time to explore and explain how society and families view sensitive subject matter.... to be confirmed and further discussed at home in the privacy of the family unit.

I spoke with the teacher she told me herself it was not a subject they were going to cover and she was just taken off guard,THATS how I know what was said she herself told me what happened .

 

[livie1205]

She discussed it with the teacher. Why make it look so negative? Discussed vs ran? The teacher stated she wasn't prepared for the question in class, the teacher wasn't happy with how it was conveyed. Something to that effect. So it seems to me the OP's concerns were valid. As a parent, if that subject is going to be broached, I'd want it done in a prepared, factual manner. There is nothing wrong with that expectation.

YES and YES again...this IS what happened....people are putting their own spin on how I SHOULD feel about it.I have and DO speak with my kids about sex.I have a 13 yr old also and he did this class last year with this subject NOT discussed...with the SAME teacher.

 

[autumnpalm]

My concern is not the issue of education, but one of indoctrination. I don't have a problem with public schools teaching children what abortion is, I just don't want them advocating it as a viable option. To me that is a decision that each person has to make for themselves and middle school students can be quite impressionable.

Oh, I understand what you mean! I would not want it presented as a viable form of birth control either, which is why I do plan on educating my children at home. When I referred to education in my earlier post, I was referring to the explanation of what abortion is, its risks and effects, things like that. I wasn't directing it at you, sorry if it came across that way!

 

[nskjerven]

just seems to me that this is exactly the reason to have these kind of conversations early and often at home. I think it would be naive to believe that a 12 year old 6th grader doesn't hear this kind of stuff at school allready. They may not understand the conversations of some of their peers but they are having them at 12 years old for sure - look at the teenage pregnancy statics.

 

[Ember]

just seems to me that this is exactly the reason to have these kind of conversations early and often at home. I think it would be naive to believe that a 12 year old 6th grader doesn't hear this kind of stuff at school allready. They may not understand the conversations of some of their peers but they are having them at 12 years old for sure - look at the teenage pregnancy statics.

I agree. Even if you choose not to have your child in sex ed, they are getting this kind of information from their peers. Only from their peers, the information isn't factual or accurate. I have no judgment on putting your child in sex ed or not, but I hope every parents is giving their child information.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

YES and YES again...this IS what happened....people are putting their own spin on how I SHOULD feel about it.I have and DO speak with my kids about sex.I have a 13 yr old also and he did this class last year with this subject NOT discussed...with the SAME teacher.

I don't think anybody has told you what you can and can't believe. In fact, I have read a lot of support for you to discuss your views on abortion with your child in your own home and applauding you for doing so.

What I do see happening is that the majority of posters disagree with you that this is an inappropriate topic for a sex ed class. Completely different than telling you your views on abortion are wrong.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I don't think anybody has told you what you can and can't believe. In fact, I have read a lot of support for you to discuss your views on abortion with your child in your own home and applauding you for doing so.

What I do see happening is that the majority of posters disagree with you that this is an inappropriate topic for a sex ed class. Completely different than telling you your views on abortion are wrong.

I think it's an inappropriate topic for sex ed class if the teacher is not prepared for it.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

I do not really have an opinion on this, I just saw the thread and knew I would finally get to see when people say, that people get "ugly" in sharing their option on a topic on the boards. That's all, everyone have a wonderful weekend...