Children Taught to Question Their Sexuality?

Certain school boards have introduced policy that asks teachers to "combat heterosexism." Many parents will object if their children are asked to question their sexuality.


Compiled by Janet Epp Buckingham | Posted 9/07/05


As children go back to school, it is time to pray and act to ensure that their faith remains intact.

Will the change in the definition of marriage make a difference in what our children are taught at schools?

There is not getting around it, September feels like the beginning of the year. It is back to school. Back to university. Start of new activities. End of summer. End of holidays.

My own kids are starting at new schools this fall. They are moving up. One starts at middle school, the other at high school. There is a sense of anticipation but also of apprehension. What will the new year hold?

For some in public schools, there are new concerns. Will the change in the definition of marriage make a difference in what our children are taught at schools? How will we, as parents, deal with this?

For teachers, cases like the Kempling show a new intent to muzzle teachers. Will teachers be forced to teach material that is contrary to their beliefs?
Pro-gay curricula is not new. The Toronto District School Board developed a human rights policy back in 2001. The TDSB actively encourages teachers to combat "heterosexism" in kindergarten to grade six. "Heterosexism" is the concept that we assume children to be heterosexual.

In both London and Hamilton, the school boards have been developing similar policies, under names like "Equity Policy" and "Safe Schools". There are accusations that these policies have been developed with little input from the public. Many parents will object if their children are asked to question their sexuality.
In Vancouver, a gay couple has brought a human rights complaint that there is a heterosexist bias to public education. Murray and Peter Corren say that children should be taught "queer issues" in school.

In the meantime, what is the place of religion in schools? Over the last few years we have witnessed increasing restrictions on Christian clubs in schools. And few schools have any religious content in their course selection. While a "world religions" course may be on the books, it is rarely taught. And besides, the Correns are not asking for a course to be added to the B.C. curriculum on queer issues, they want it across the curriculum. Does this mean that we can ask for positive portrayals of Christians and "Christian issues" to be taught across the curriculum?
And let's put this in perspective. We have already had to deal with evolution and sex education in public schools.

Sigh. It is no wonder many Christian parents have opted for the alternatives. Homeschooling is very popular across the country. Homeschooling provides Christians with the opportunity to instil Christian virtues in their children while enhancing their education. It does require one parent to be available to be "the teacher," however.

Others choose Christian independent schools. Christian schools provide education from a Christian worldview and allow students to build a strong network of Christian friends who support their faith perspective. There is that problem of paying tuition, however. Even in the most enlightened provinces, only half the per pupil grant is covered by the province. And some provinces do not provide any funding at all for private, Christian schools. Remember too that the Correns have challenged the "heterosexist" curriculum in private schools as well because British Columbia provides some funding to these schools.

Some Protestant parents, and even Muslim parents, have opted for Roman Catholic separate schools in provinces where these are publicly funded (Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan). This at least allows students to be educated in a Christian worldview even if it is not entirely consistent with the faith perspective of the parents. My kids went to a Roman Catholic separate school for a time. They found it difficult to be designated "non-Catholic" and excluded from certain religious observances. As Protestant Christians, they felt that they were being treated the same as non-Christians and that their particular faith perspective was not respected.
So, what about those of us who continue to opt for the public school option?
First, we cannot abdicate our responsibilities as parents to take responsibility for educating our children. We must ensure that our children know their own faith. We have to talk with our kids regularly to know what they are learning and if they are being indoctrinated into ideologies that are opposed to what we believe. Incidentally, when it came to learning evolution, my daughter thought it was hilarious that anyone believes that we are descended from monkeys. She chose not to take this up in class as an issue (she was only in grade 5 at the time) but let me know that she does not believe everything her teacher tells her.
Second, we can be involved in the schools themselves. My experience has taught me that parents that are actively involved with parent councils, or their equivalent, have a much stronger voice in the schools. Those who are seen to participate in the life of the school are given access to principals and teachers that others do not enjoy. I realize that not everyone has time to do this but it sure does help if an issue comes up.

Third, we have to be prepared to negotiate around difficult issues. My husband and I had an opportunity to present the message of Jesus at Christmas because the principal was prepared to have a multi-religious assembly at that time. The principal called this the "festival of lights" and let a Jewish parent, a Hindu parent, a Muslim parent and us share what our religious observance means. It was the only way that we could present a Christian message in the school.
Let's not bury our heads in the sand but be proactive with both our children and their teachers.

Lastly, with new issues in schools around marriage and sexuality, we would do well to try to address issues before they happen. Take advantage of the "meet the teacher" night to open dialogue with your children's teachers. Let them know you are Christians, that you pray for the teacher, that you take an active role in your child's education and that you have religious views that you would like respected.
The EFC has some great resources on religion and education. Focus on the Family also has some on-line resources on education. And of course, the Christianity.ca itself has a variety of resources on this topic.
If you, like me, are sending your children off to public school this year with some concerns about what will be imposed on them, know that you are not alone. Let's not bury our heads in the sand but be proactive with both our children and their teachers. But let's assume goodwill on all sides. And, most important, let's remember to pray!

Janet Epp Buckingham is director of Law and Public Policy and general legal counsel for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada in Ottawa.