Last week the city announced a new mandate that would require sex-education classes for middle and high school students. Previously, schools and principals were allowed to teach what they felt was appropriate.
The topic of sex, in general, is a touchy subject. The Forum wholeheartedly believes children should learn about sex from their parents. And the parents should have the ultimate decision on what values to impart regarding sexuality.
Already, there are protests about the decision. The Catholic Church has condemned the proposal and urged parents to opt out of the classes. “Parents have the right and responsibility to be the first and primary educators of their children. This mandate by the city usurps that role, and allows the public school system to substitute its beliefs and values for those of the parents,” said Joseph Zwilling, director of communications for the Archdiocese of New York.
Locally, Community Education Council 24 is expected to discuss a resolution opposing the new mandate at its meeting on Wednesday, August 23.
We understand these concerns, and again, The Forum agrees that parents should be the ultimate decision makers about when and how to discuss sex with their children. Unfortunately, many kids today are inundated with sexual materials at younger ages, and it isn’t from their parents. Whether it’s from the Internet, a TV show or National Geographic, children are exposed to sex on a daily basis. And most of the images they see are warped depictions that don’t resemble reality.
The lack of sex-education can have serious negative effects on children, especially the disadvantaged black and Latino youth living in low-income neighborhoods. According to the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in 2008 there were approximately 130,000 live births and 89,469 abortions in the city—approximately seven abortions for every 10 live births in the city. The city’s study found that among black women, abortions outweigh live births three to two.
These statistics offer dramatic evidence that the incidence of unwanted pregnancy is clearly affected by the lack of responsible sex education. Equally as staggering are statistics, which monitor the incidence and occurrence of numerous sexually transmitted diseases. Cleary there is a dramatic, demonstrated need to change the way our children are being dragged onto sexual frontiers by a myriad of outside influences that sometimes remain outside the control of parents and mentors.
The city’s sex-education program is expected to include frank topics on anatomy, contraception, pregnancy and puberty. And while it might be worrisome for parents to know their child may learn proper condom use in the classroom, they can pull their children from lessons involving birth control.
The mandate from the city is not perfect, but it’s necessary. In our opinion, parents worried about these new requirements are great parents. They’re parents who care about what their children are learning in school. We know they will eventually teach their children about sex, but they might not realize the discussions may have to occur sooner than they realize.
And for all the children without concerned parents? Where are they supposed to learn about it? We shudder to think of the consequences if this potentially life-changing subject matter is not introduced to our kids through proper channels. The diffusion of immorality from outside influences should be shut down at every turn. While the new mandate is not the sole answer to the problem, we feel it has merit as a viable starting point.
