Sanitized sex-ed is dangerous
Photo: iStockphoto
The recent decision by Thorncliffe Park public school in Toronto to offer the grade-one sex-ed curriculum without naming genitalia is far from a ?very simple accommodation,? as the school?s principal Jeff Crane calls it. By replacing the words ?penis? and ?vagina? with ?private parts,? the school is swapping basic anatomy with a lesson on sexual shame. While some parents of students may claim this provision helps to uphold a religious value of modesty, I would argue that naming genitalia in no way challenges a regard for decency. Teaching the term ?private parts? in the early years send the message to kids that the real names for these body parts are unacceptable and secret which breeds shame and a lack of dignity.
The curriculum doesn?t glorify sex or focus on one part of the body over others but rather gives kids knowledge that supports their health and wellness. While Thorncliffe Park will offer kids information about inappropriate touching (as per the curriculum), to provide it without naming the body parts involved teaches kids that not even they can know their bodies. This doesn?t protect them?it puts them at risk. Research shows that some kids do not report sexual abuse because they have learned they shouldn?t say ?those? words. Or, when they do try to report abuse, because they?re only equipped with cute or vague language, kids are often either misunderstood or not believed. If a child is taught to feel shame by merely mentioning the words, imag...
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