California Parents Outraged Their Kids Are Learning About Consent, Gender Identity
Parents in one northern California school district are accusing Planned Parenthood of trying to pressure their kids into having sex by providing them with information about consent, sexuality, and gender identity. They’re trying to get the national nonprofit, which is currently the largest sex ed provider in the country, kicked out of school.
For the past decade, Planned Parenthood has partnered with the Acalanes Union High School District to provide comprehensive sex ed instruction to students. But some parents in the district appear to have only recently learned about the women’s health organization’s role. Last month, several outraged residents formed a coalition called NOISE — which stands for “No to Irresponsible Sex Education” — to pressure school officials to drop Planned Parenthood’s curriculum.
And according to Fox News, the conflict escalated even further this week, after parents got their hands on some of the materials currently being used in the high school’s sex ed classes.
Specifically, they object to a checklist that helps kids decide whether they’re ready for sex, as well as gives them suggestions about how to communicate effectively with a potential partner, like asking “Is this okay with you?” and “Can I kiss you?” They’re also concerned about a “genderbread person” tool that teaches kids about the spectrum of sexuality and gender.
The most creative way to teach kids about sexuality and gender | Follow ThinkProgress
“No to Irresponsible Sex Education” They wouldn’t know responsible education if it hit them with a truck. How is teaching teens to determine when they’re ready for sex and communicate about consent irresponsible? Teens will have sex whether they have this information or not. When will people like NOISE realize this? The difference is that teens (and adults) without this information are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, less likely to use protection, and more likely to feel guilt and confusion about their own sexuality. Abstinence Only Education, which is what I imagine these parents would prefer, is the irresponsible sex education. It leaves students without any tools to express themselves and take control and ownership over their own bodies and sexuality.
Planned Parenthood has been running this curriculum for ten years, and the parents are only learning about it now? They are only now seeing the materials handed out to students? I’m sorry, but that is horribly irresponsible parenting. Try being involved with your children’s education! How could you be so oblivious? Unless your kids knew exactly how you would react, and hid it from you to prevent a backlash like forming NOISE. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
That Genderbread thing is great. I wish we’d had this curriculum in my high school.