Although the Helena school district isn’t holding a public hearing on its draft comprehensive health-education curriculum until its July 13 meeting, opinions on the subject abound in the community.
The curriculum — the result of two years of work by a long list of people ranging from teachers and administrators to nurses and other health professionals, police and students — covers a wide spectrum of health concerns.
But it is the material on human sexuality that has some in the community concerned. As is often the case when schools touch on that emotional subject, the questions become what students should be taught, when they should be taught it and whether the subject belongs in the school at all.
On this page Sunday, we urged the community to read the curriculum between now and the July 13 public hearing, and we’d reiterate that suggestion here.
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Meanwhile, we asked readers their thoughts in our Question of The Week: “Do you agree with the sexual education aspect of the Helena School District’s proposed health curriculum?”
Of the 374 responses we received, 244 — or 65 percent — were “yes.” The other 13o responses, 35 percent of the total, were “no.”
Here are some of the comments we received:
n I would rather see a bold move to give children the truth than have their only source in these matters be their peer group. Let’s stamp out the mythology surrounding sex and move toward understanding healthy sexual practices that protect our youth in decisions regarding sex.
n First graders apparently would be taught that same-sex “love” is possible; for many of us these teachings run contrary to the tenets of our faith. Discussions with children regarding sex need to be cloaked in modesty, and this proposal amounts to an indoctrination that would strip away all modesty. The alleged “opt out” ignores the realities of peer pressure and rings hollow, given the agenda that the federal government is pushing.
n We need to protect our children, who are progressively more under assault each day. Whatever happened to children being allowed to be innocent for a short season and being taught the facts of life in the home or by loving persons in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
n Yes. Good, truthful education taught by unbiased, dedicated teachers will help students make proper decisions in their relationships.
n Yes, include sex education in the curriculum. Those 7 billion people in the world have learned something about sex. Sex education occurs, and it is better to let it occur in the classroom.
n They should do their job as public educators — hold the trust of our children as sacred and educate them in subjects that will better prepare them to go out and be productive members of society. Don’t take on the role of parent and attempt to presume to know when a child is ready to hear how to satisfy themselves sexually. They don’t have the right.
n Why do some feel the need to sexualize children at such a young age? That is sick and wrong. Children need to be protected in our society, not subjected to things they have no need to know at such a young age. Let parents decide. No wonder home schooling is on the rise.
n Helena’s schools are replete with competent and caring professionals who are fully capable of delivering a health curriculum that includes human sexuality. Our schools can educate children, but it is the parent who must guide their moral development. Our schools are prepared to do their part. Are parents as well prepared to do theirs?
