Monday, July 02, 2007

NACF members on Sex Education

Briefing. All parents should find out, urgently, what their schools are telling their children in the name of Sex Education and its euphemisms. Here are some observations from a member of the National Association of Catholic Families.

From CFNews, extracts: How much of what is laid down in the Government guidance on 'Sex and Relationship Education 2002' is put into practice? Speaking anecdotally to parents, it would appear very little sometimes. We parents gullibly think that all these guidelines are followed slavishly, only to find, with a little probing, that this is not the case.

We also have to accept, regretfully - and I have found this with my own little crusades - that many parents really do not seem to care what their children are taught and, of those that do, many feel inadequate to take on teachers at their child's school. Many are also reluctant to cause their child what is seen as adverse notoriety, making them stand out from their peers and possibly labelling them as prudish and unenlightened .

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My own daughter attends a Plymouth grammar school where a clinic called GEMS - General, Emotional, Mental and Sexual - has come into existence. I picked up on it through 2 lines which I saw in the school newsletter last September, which I don't normally receive because it is delivered by pupil post. I had never been consulted about the setting up of this school clinic but, on pursuing this, it appears that the school thought that consulting with elected parent governors comprised parental consultation. My daughter's school is part of the 'Healthy Schools' campaign and, as I have found out, this indicates that the school is in close cooperation with government diktats on sexual health as well as focussing on healthy eating and exercise.
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One of the main arguments against school confidential clinics, is that a pregnant child presenting as a result of incest or abuse and too frightened to explain the circumstances of her pregnancy, is left vulnerable and open to further abuse by the quick fix of confidential emergency contraception or abortion. Also, all the latest research shows that after 6 years of providing MAP, unintended pregnancy rates have not reduced.
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The Sex Education Policy of my daughter's school states, in the first 'aim', that SRE 'reinforces the school aims by promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of students. My telephone conversation with the named teacher resulted in her admitting quite honestly that she didn't 'do' morals either on homosexuality or contraception in her delivery of this subject. I am a voluntary worker for the Society or the Protection of Unborn Children and, for 3 years, the school has politely refused my offer of an anti-abortion presentation to the girls and has declined the offer of a presentation by the Challenge Team so there is no way that they can claim to be giving a balanced representation on matters sexual.

For the full CFNews buletin see here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can I just remind anyone with children, of the following:

1. Primary schools are not obliged to teach sex education at all. They are obliged to have a policy on sex ed: that policy can be "we don't teach it!" Parents have the right to withdraw the children from sex ed.

2. Secondary schools disperse the subject matter among as many areas of the curriculum as possible. So be aware that withdrawing the child from Sex ed - only ever means a small portion of Sex ed. Check with Science and RE departments, obviously PSHE or PSCHE - but also beware of unscheduled "health and hygiene" or "growing up" type programmes.

[In both primary and secondary the worst aspects are often reserved until now - the last month or so of the school year - perhaps because it leaves parents less time to complain after the damage is done. If you want to keep your child away from this evil in the classroom - it's definitely worth writing or calling the school now.]

3. Chastity presentations in school are marvellous - and worth battling for, but in current conditions can often only really be **damage limitation**.

4. Sex Ed is the parents' job - and both the parent and the child benefit from dealing with the subject in that environment, and one-to-one. No one suggests that it is easy in a sexualised culture like ours. Worth the pain though.

5. No matter how *wholesome* the program, sex ed has no place in the classroom. Even in single sex groups - the classroom setting and *authoritative-but-non-parental* teacher - effects a breakdown of the child's natural modesty, and destroys the *shame* that is the heart's natural response to having private things exposed in public.

6. These things are tools of Satan. Don't be fooled - even good concerned teachers, trying to minimise the damage, have been caught up in this evil thanks to a combination of teacher-training standards and the nat.curriculum - and have it reinforced regularly thanks to inset days and such like.

7. Homeschooling is an obvious answer - but not always possible, or practical. It's a good idea to pre-empt the school if possible - and introduce the subject slowly and gently as your child grows ready - in a familiar, homely and godly way.

I've been busy on this particular battle field, nearly without a break for nigh on 10 years now - thanks to 4 children in and out of school over that time. I hope the above is helpful.

Catholic Action UK said...

This is very good advice: thank you!

Anonymous said...

Engaged in the battle once again...

Pope Leo XIII's Prayer to St Michael

Holy Michael, Archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust down to Hell Satan, and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen