Curriculum Changes

Given the news today about the McGuinty government introducing new (and much more thorough) sex ed in schools, I felt the need to make this post.

If you haven't already heard, beginning in September children and youth in Ontario are going to start learning more, and at younger ages.  Although this list is by no means complete, some of the changes include:

• use of clear, explicit and accurate language

• introducing proper names for body parts in Grade 1

• discussing "invisible differences" and introducing concepts such as sexual identity and orientation to students in Grade 3

• introducing the topic of puberty in Grade 4 (previously introduced in Grade 5) - reflecting the reality that children and youth are reaching puberty at increasingly younger ages (I know girls who got their periods when they were 9!) ... the discussion is also more accurate and acknowledges changes such as body hair and breast development

• using terminology such as "anal intercourse" and "vaginal lubrication" in Grades 6 & 7

*Warning: opinions ahead*

Needless to say, there are those out there who do not agree with these changes.  Many of the reasons given for this dissonance center around religious values.  For example:

“I think it’s a sort of infringement on parents, because you’re talking about a very personal and sensitive area and dealing with kids so young I believe what it will end up infringing on their thought processes and their desires and ability to make correct choices,” said Reverend Ekron Malcolm, director of the Institute for Canadian Values

What gets me - REALLY gets me - about that quotation is the reference to children's "ability to make correct choices".  Correct according to whom?  For whom?  Says whom?

Statistically speaking ...

Every survey of young Canadians that has been done on this topic indicates that Canadian youth are unequivocal in recognizing the importance of being well informed about sexual health through school-based programs and that they want a wide range of relevant topic areas to be addressed (Byers, et al., 2003a; Byers, et al, 2003b; Cairns, Collins, & Hiebert, 1994; Cregheur, Casey, & Banfield, 1992; HKPR Health Unit, 1999; Lawlor & Purcell, 1988; McKay & Holowaty, 1997; Smith, et al., 2001).

I can speak from experience on this point ... young people want this education, they need this education, and they are more likely to postpone sexual activity when they have this education.

“If anything, young people who are very well educated about sexuality and sexual health tend to actually delay having sex, because they fully understand everything that’s involved, biologically and psychologically,” Alex McKay, research co-ordinator for the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada.

There are parents threatening to pull their children out of school unless this curriculum is abandoned, and I'm happy to say that the government is sticking to its guns on this one.

Looking for more information about this topic?  See my "resources" page, or click on these links:

http://bit.ly/bbMXyT (Globe & Mail news article)

http://bit.ly/bDz4hN ("Youth Want Sexual Health Education)

http://bit.ly/b8liDr (Myths and Misconceptions Regarding Sex Ed)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue!  Email me or leave a comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Candice