British Parents Say Sex Ed Curriculum on Masturbation, Homosexuality Goes Too Far
An elementary school's proposed sexual education curriculum that will teach children as young as six about homosexuality have parents in one British town threatening to pull their kids from the controversial program.
The curriculum, shared with parents in two meetings, according to British media, is targeted toward children 4 to 11 years old.
According to the Daily Mail's copy of the curriculum, the proposed sex education program covers reproduction (ages 4-6); same-sex relationships and good and bad touching (6-7); puberty and discussions on touching and love making (7-8); menstruation and family planning (8-9); intercourse, casual sex, contraception and birth (9-10); and orgasms and masturbation (10-11).
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Some concerned parents say administrators at Grenoside Primary school in Sheffield (South Yorkshire) are simply going too far.
One woman, who has four children ranging in ages from 5-10 attending Grenoside Primary school, told the Star the sex edudcation program is excessive.
"There is too much pressure on youngsters already with all the tests they have to pass, and I feel the sex education curriculum adds to this, treating children as if they are mini-adults," said Louise Leahy, 41.
"The videos which are shown as part of the curriculum talk about children touching themselves and tell them it feels good.
"To me that is encouraging them to think in a sexual way - if anything new is presented to a child, they will be curious and they will want to investigate it, that’s only natural," she said.
Another mother, however, told the publication she was pleased with the suggested program, considering that children may wind up being educated on the subject of sex elsewhere.
Amanda Oates, whose 7-year-old son attends Grenoside, said, "In the times we live in, when you see sex on [tv programs] Coronation Street and EastEnders, way before the watershed, children will know about this stuff anyway. I'm happy it comes from the teachers instead."
The school already has a sex education program in place for students age 9-11, but is seeking to extend the curriculum to younger children.
Colin Fleetwood, headmaster of the school, told the Star that other elementary schools in Sheffield already have such programs and they have proven to be successful.
"This curriculum starts in the infant years with very basic information and builds on their understanding in subsequent years. It is vital children learn what is appropriate to their age," he said.
Fleetwood added that school administrators would listen to parents before making a final decision on implementing the program for younger students.
In the end, Fleetwood said, the administrators' goal is educating children to "make sensible and responsible decisions as they grow up."
According to a prospectus on Grenoside Primary's website, more than 300 students are enrolled.
The prospectus also says parents are welcome to remove their children from the sex education program in some cases, and that parents are always notified and consulted when sex education will be introduced.
