Quote:
Originally Posted by Halanna
Sexual orientation I can't say because I don't know what is being taught. Is it lessons on tolerance or how to explore your inner lesbian kind of thing.
|
It's usually a definition of what homosexuality/bisexuality/transsexuality is, with lessons on tolerance, and an emphasis on creating a safe space in schools. Most teachers are incredibly uncomfortable with the topic as they don't want to offend anyone, one way or the other, so it gets briefly covered. I highly doubt any teacher who considers themselves to be a professional would even think about teaching a course on exploring your inner lesbian. We don't even do that in women studies at the university level.
Personally, I think this is problematic. It's one more hoop teachers have to jump through in order to convey important information to students. And I agree with MSD--typically the people pulling their kids out of class are the ones with kids who need the information the most. I don't have any statistics to back this statement up, but I've seen enough anecdotal evidence to wonder if teens with Christian conservatives for parents really do get knocked up more often than those with liberal let's-talk-about-sex-openly parents.
And I think religion is okay so long as it's as Baraka suggested--in a survey course where all the major world religions get covered, or in a history course where it must be talked about. Religion is another one of those issues where schools are so desperate not to offend anyone.