Well, now they’ve gone and done it! The Ontario Ministry of Education has introduced a revised health and physical education curriculum for elementary and secondary schools in the province of Ontario. Replacing a curriculum used since the nineties, the revised version is designed to bring the curriculum into the 21st Century.
Oh, but wait! Out of the woodwork has emerged outrage and accusations from various ultra-conservative groups, including some in the province’s Conservative opposition party. How dare we incorporate sex education which provides useful and relative information about relationships, including those involving sexual relations. They argue that the government is stepping all over the rights of parents to educate their children on such matters. OMG — never mind talking about homosexuality, sexual orientation, and how to respect people’s rights.
I wonder how many of those in opposition have actually read the two documents outlining the curriculum. I have, and concluded that the curriculum has been developed in a sensitive and objective manner. The curriculum provides an excellent foundation for discussion among young people at various stages of development. Indeed, only about 10 percent of the material actually deals with sex education per se. The rest deals with matters related to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. Nothing therein prevents parents from talking to their children about relationships and the important values surrounding them. If anything, the information provided will help parents to have meaningful and constructive discussions.
Kids today are increasingly being exposed to all kinds of sources containing sexual content, especially through the Internet, television, film, etc., etc. As parents and society, we need to balance these other sources with one that provides for informed and intelligent discussion. Our children deserve to be guided in a safe, open and respectful environment during their developmental years. As adults, we owe it to them.
FROLITICKS 
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