Parents across the United States have decided to conduct their own protest against politics in the schools. Conservative groups have banded together to form an upcoming protest titled “Sex Ed Sit Out.” According to the event page on Facebook, April 23 will be a day for parents to come together and express disapproval of explicit material being taught to their children. Participants plan on pulling their children from school for the day. Several cities across the United States will be holding events and activities focused on what many parents fear is the sexualization of children.
One of the more prominent organizers is Elizabeth Johnston, the social media personality also known as “The Activist Mommy.” Johnston often speaks candidly about politics and the effects they have on families. Among her grievances are what she sees as schools opting to make parental decisions regarding sex education. According to Johnston, schools are allowing children to choose which gender they identify with and not consulting parents. She views this as schools taking authority from parents over gender identity issues. Johnston has also expressed concerns over transgender girls being allowed to participate in girls sports because their biological makeup gives them a tremendous advantage.
Many parents share in the outrage over current curricula being taught in schools. As the United States becomes more progressive, schools have become a landmine for politics. Perhaps the most uncomfortable and controversial topic is the issue of transgender children. It’s not an issue previous generations had to deal with in classrooms. While there are parents of transgender children who are fully on board, many households in the United States aren’t ready to expose their children to grown-up ideas prematurely. Instilling values consistent with their own is also important to parents. Guiding children with certain sets of morals and values is very important and private to all parents. Identity politics has found its way into schools with more administrators pushing for children to receive in-depth lessons.
“Did you know public schools receive special funds from private groups to teach your kids graphic, gender-bending sex ed? If they take the funds, they have to teach what these radical groups like HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN tell them to teach. If they don’t teach it, they don’t get the funding. Shame on these schools for thinking our children’s innocence is expendable for money!” (Credit: Facebook/Sex Ed Sit Out)
Social media users expressed their support for the event, calling on schools across the nation to be tolerant of their beliefs and cause. Schools recently supported walkouts coordinated by students protesting for gun control following the Parkland, Florida school shooting. Critics of the Sex Ed Sit Out accuse the organizers of promoting intolerance and hate. However, participating parents strongly oppose their children being taught explicit material in sex education classes. Many of those lessons include gender identity and the idea that children can choose their gender.
According to Elizabeth Johnston, children are being taught inappropriate lessons far beyond their grasp about transgender individuals and pornographic sex. These classroom teachings often happen without parental approval or knowledge. Many parents feel that schools should stick to traditional sexual reproduction curriculum.
Johnston feels that while schools are becoming progressively tolerant, they’re also taking several steps back by pushing political topics in school with a one-sided outcome. Organizers have included several resources on the Sex Ed Sit Out website, including an example letter for principals detailing reasons for students’ absences.
Thoughts?
