There has been heated debate among parents in Miami-Dade County over whether two sex education books should end up in the classroom.
One for middle schools, the other for high schools.
Some parents argue the content is not appropriate while others say this is what kids need in order to make healthy choices.
Alex serrano is the county director for County Citizens Defending Freedom, the organization which has highlighted samples they believe are not age appropriate for kids in schools, like chapter 20 and the issue of abortion.
“It goes into details about medical procedures such as abortion,” Serrano said. “I would argue that Plan B pills, how they work and how they’re accessible over the counter, I would argue that is not an age appropriate information for an 11-year-old.”
When it comes to the book selection process, the textbooks were up for adoption.
Formal objections were raised, which sparked a hearing with a district officer.
That officer, after listening to concerns, recommended the books be adopted.
Laly Jimenez-Hincapie, who is the local chapter chair for Moms for Liberty, is homeschooling her youngest kids.
“There is such a thing as boundaries,” she said.
Jimenez-Hincapie feels there is place for sex education, but this is too much.
“Why are we exposing children ahead of their age to content that they don’t even know how to mentally process,” she said.
But outrage has also come from other parents, who believe this kind of education is necessary.
Carrie Feit has two kids in Miami-Dade Public Schools, one is 12 years old and the other is 17.
“Our kids are human beings with sexuality, and for us to pretend that doesn’t exist is really denying their dignity,” Feit said. “How dare you think that you have a say in the information my child has access to about their bodies because of your religious beliefs.”
She believes it shouldn’t be about parental comforts, politics or religion, but about kids.
Pediatrician Dr. Michael Maurer calls the content important, saying it should be supplemented by a dialogue about sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies and other issues, in a group he says where over 50 percent of high school students engage in sexual intercourse.
“I don’t see anything that I would consider inappropriate for kids of that age to learn,” said Maurer. “When kids seek information about those things on their own they will find it in an unhealthy potentially way.”
Parents ultimately have the right to keep their children from participating in programs using the textbooks.
The Miami-Dade Public School Board will make an ultimate decision on the textbooks at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
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One for middle schools, the other for high schools.
Some parents argue the content is not appropriate while others say this is what kids need in order to make healthy choices.
Alex serrano is the county director for County Citizens Defending Freedom, the organization which has highlighted samples they believe are not age appropriate for kids in schools, like chapter 20 and the issue of abortion.
“It goes into details about medical procedures such as abortion,” Serrano said. “I would argue that Plan B pills, how they work and how they’re accessible over the counter, I would argue that is not an age appropriate information for an 11-year-old.”
When it comes to the book selection process, the textbooks were up for adoption.
Formal objections were raised, which sparked a hearing with a district officer.
That officer, after listening to concerns, recommended the books be adopted.
Laly Jimenez-Hincapie, who is the local chapter chair for Moms for Liberty, is homeschooling her youngest kids.
“There is such a thing as boundaries,” she said.
Jimenez-Hincapie feels there is place for sex education, but this is too much.
“Why are we exposing children ahead of their age to content that they don’t even know how to mentally process,” she said.
But outrage has also come from other parents, who believe this kind of education is necessary.
Carrie Feit has two kids in Miami-Dade Public Schools, one is 12 years old and the other is 17.
“Our kids are human beings with sexuality, and for us to pretend that doesn’t exist is really denying their dignity,” Feit said. “How dare you think that you have a say in the information my child has access to about their bodies because of your religious beliefs.”
She believes it shouldn’t be about parental comforts, politics or religion, but about kids.
Pediatrician Dr. Michael Maurer calls the content important, saying it should be supplemented by a dialogue about sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies and other issues, in a group he says where over 50 percent of high school students engage in sexual intercourse.
“I don’t see anything that I would consider inappropriate for kids of that age to learn,” said Maurer. “When kids seek information about those things on their own they will find it in an unhealthy potentially way.”
Parents ultimately have the right to keep their children from participating in programs using the textbooks.
The Miami-Dade Public School Board will make an ultimate decision on the textbooks at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Continue reading...
