The Naked Truth- Youth and the New Ontario Sex Education Curriculum
My daughter is five years old and just recently she had an argument with classmates. She came home upset in tears and posed the question.
“Momma can boys marry boys and girls marry girls?” I look at her and frown.
“Well of course they can peanut. People can marry whoever they love.” I say.
“They can? I was right? I’m going to tell Ting and Jacob they were wrong!”
“Whoa wait a minute what’s this about?” I say.
“Ting and Jacob said that they couldn’t marry each other and that I was stupid! But I knew I was right cause Jenny in Mrs. Smith’s class has two Moms. ”
At her age I’m surprised this is a topic of debate. When I was five we fought over crayons and scissors, not who could marry who.
“Okay peanut technically you are right but it’s also a matter of opinion and it also depends what country you are from. In some countries boys can’t marry boys and girls can’t marry girls. So Ting is probably telling you what he thinks is right. But you live in Canada and you can marry who you want.”
Nicole looks around the room and whispers “Even boygirls?”
I look at her and raise my eyebrows. “Boygirls? What is that?” I’m fairly certain I know what she is asking but I needed her to clarify.
“You know half boy half girl or you know, boys that change to girls.”
“Yes even boygirls.”
I’m shocked. At five years old not only have a just had a conversation about same sex marriage, but I’m having a transgender conversation. This will probably be one of many that I will have in the future.
There’s no question the dynamics of family in Canada has changed. It’s finding its way into the lives of children everywhere. Unfortunately there is still some discomfort among same sex couples whose culture or religion fails to recognize these families. Often viewed as wrong, dirty or non-existent. According to Statistics Canada the 2011 census reported that “64,575 same-sex couple families” live across Canada. Of those same sex couples “9.4% have children. Female same-sex couples were nearly 5 times more likely to have a child at home (16.5%) than male same‑sex-couples (3.4%). Overall, more than four-fifths (80.3%) of all same-sex couples with children were female couples. The amount of same sex couples that were married or common law tripled since 2003.”
Currently the Ontario Sex Education Curriculum doesn’t mention anything about sexual orientation, or a whole host of other issues such as stereotypes, social inclusion, bullying, sexting or positive body image just to name a few. The curriculum is outdated. The last update was in 1998. “It’s about time the government did something right for a change. I want my grand-children to be well informed and not learn about sex from the playground and as far as I’m concerned they are at least 10 years if not more behind the times.” Says Julia Smith, a fifty-six year old grandmother.
Compared to the top countries in the world where does Canada stand in the rankings as to when sex education is first introduced? According to Durex, a condom company that has conducted health and sexual studies around the world since 1997, the average age was 12.4 years of age. Which is one of the oldest ages to give an introduction.
As of January 2016 the Liberal Government will finally introduce a new curriculum which addresses issues that didn’t even exist in 1998. The changes to the New Ontario Curriculum however has come with some controversy, and not all parents agree with the government’s plan to implement these changes. The backlash has gone as far as parents protesting and pulling children out of school. Why are these parents in such an uproar?
Summary of the New Ontario Curriculum:
Grade 1- Properly name body parts including genitalia.
Grade 2 — Basic stages of human development and identifying what is unacceptable touching.
Grade 3- Introduction to gender identity, sexual orientation. Focus on healthy relationships with family and friends.
Grade 4- Physical changes in puberty and positive body image.
Grade 5- The reproductive system, online safety. How to deal with the changes and discusses bullying.
Grade 6 — Gender identity and stereotypes. Also discusses healthy relationships and social inclusion.
Grade 7 — Understanding relationships and the concept of consent. Identifying common std’s and sti’s. Also addressing bullying, sexting and social media.
Grade 8 — Understanding the different methods of contraception, factors involved in the decision of sexual activity. The involvement of relationships and different levels of sexual activity.
Grade 9- Describes the different methods of contraception to prevent pregnancies and sti’s. Further detail into gender identity, sexual orientation and acceptance of peers different from themselves.
Grade 10 — Influences that factor in the decision to be sexually active. How to identify when exclusivity in a relationship can be harmful. Misconceptions about sex in pop culture and its negative impact. Identifying and understanding concepts in mental health.
Grade 11 — Proactive health measures such as breast and testicular exams. Identifying mental health issues and substance abuse.
Grade 12 — Identifying abusive relationships, harassment and violence. Explains legal recourse and ways to identify and prevent these types of relationships and where they can receive help.
Part of the problem is that there has been a lot of misinformation about this new curriculum. Some of these myths or misinterpreted information are from religious groups, protest groups and parents. Some of the myths below are from the Campaign Life Coalition and are as follows:
1. Teaches sex in 1st grade and they don’t need to know the names of genitalia.
2. Teaches masturbation.
3. Teaches abortion. (religious groups against even mentioning it to youth)
4. Teaches oral and anal sex.
5. Teaches vaginal lubrication and being male or female is a social construct.
Numerous websites promote these same myths relentlessly without much substance. The backlash has been out of control protests into what they believe the new curriculum is seeking out to teach. It’s true that some of the scenarios that are listed are for some a little “racy” but they cannot ignore the facts, that these scenarios can possibly happen in the classroom.
Another part of the problem is protesters assume teachers will be explicit and make the health class a “how to guide” on some of these topics. Which was the driving catalyst in spinning these protests out of control. One of the most recent posts from a protest group is below:
It’s hard to believe that protest groups have gone as far as to say that sex education in Canada is “evil”. However to gain some insight on the New Ontario Sex Education Curriculum I hit the streets and I asked youths aged 12–16, parents and grandparents what they their thoughts were on this controversial topic.
Note: for the purposes of this article all names have been changed to protect the identity of all individuals. Anyone with these names mentioned throughout the article is coincidental.
“I get why some parents might say that it’s evil because they just want to protect their kids.” Says sixteen year old Maya.
The question is what are parents really protecting? Their culture and their religion? Are they actually protecting their children, or doing more harm?
I interviewed a 47 year old mother named Rima Mohammad. Her son Mohammad is 14 years old. “I worry Mohammad will get the wrong ideas. Back in my day my marriage was arranged and we didn’t know or talk of such things until a few nights before our wedding night.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea for the government to be introducing these topics in school?” I ask.
“Funny I asked my husband that question when I argue with him and his answer is Mohammad will have a better head on his shoulders and block out nonsense. He will pray and god will show him the way.” Says Rima.
“What do you think about what they plan on teaching?” I ask.
“Truthfully I would rather they didn’t talk about it.” Rima says.
“Do you think they are introducing some concepts too soon?” I ask.
Rima takes a sip from her coffee. “Yes I think parents should talk to their children.”
“Do you and your husband talk to your children about sex?” I ask.
Rima nods her head. “No not really. Mohammad gets embarrassed and locks his self in his room.”
In talking with other parents I find this the norm. I went as far as to asked my own twelve year old son what he’s learned so far in health class (which I found out only happens once a month) and the minute I asked about something sexual, and if he understood it, he raised his hand up and said “Mom, really this is embarrassing and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Do you feel more comfortable at school? I ask.
“Yes and I also feel more comfortable talking to Dad.” My son says. Ironically my daughter also feels more comfortable asking me questions, which I am okay with as long as my children get proper information.
But what about youths from different cultures that weren’t born in Canada. “Right now people like me are stuck in a generation that is caught between the western world and the one which my parents and grandparents are from. The bottom line is parents can pull their kids from classes but their friends are just going to tell them everything that happens anyway and what they don’t find out from their friends they’ll just look up online.” Says sixteen year old Yuejin.
“Do you look up stuff online?” I ask.
Yuejin smiles, “Doesn’t everybody?”
Yuejin is correct in his assumption. Youth today look things up online but what is interesting is that “according to Australian researchers Maree Crabbe and David Corlett the average age children first watch pornography is 11. The reason according to their research is the inadequacy of sex education.”
Youth are curious and with inadequate sex education they are going to seek information from the easiest place. The reasons for attempting to seek out such information is the web provides a false sense of security. It’s a place where there is an abundant amount of information that can be obtained without prejudice or judgement. Regardless of whether the information is accurate or not.
According to OPHEA (Ontario Physical Health Education Association) “Today’s kids are growing up faster and reaching maturity years earlier than in generations past. Advances in technology and social media have changed how (mis)information is accessed and transmitted.”
For today’s youth almost everyone has a cell phone or an ipod. Parents are working longer hours and spending less time with their kids. Which provides ample opportunity for cyber-bullying and sexting to occur. The current curriculum didn’t address these issues simply because social media didn’t exist.
“The problem is they don’t give any examples like what we should do if someone is sexting. We end up finding out the hard way and the problem is people text that shit all the time. I know tons of people who’ve done it and then regretted it later because they find out the person didn’t really like them. Then once teachers find out the police become involved and by then it’s too late and everyone has seen it or knows about it. ” Says Marcus.
Students find themselves in precarious situations without guidance, or the knowledge of legal consequences if they are found participating in such acts. Currently according to the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada “any persons to who send out sexting pictures without consent and are under the age of eighteen are in violation of child pornography law which results in charges even if they are minors themselves.”
Without this kind of knowledge how are today’s youth supposed to make informed decision and protect themselves? How are they to deal with the pressures to participate in such acts and others? The answer is today’s youth needs to be taught the New Ontario Curriculum in order to know how to act, react and cope with these pressures and make informed decisions that are best for themselves.
In researching this topic there was a certain irony. There was little to no statistical information on youth sexual health issues in Canada other than teen pregnancy rates. It appears that the government has ignored their sexual well-being for years. The revamped curriculum is a step towards positive progress to taking youth sexual health seriously.
When I began the interview process I found time and time again youths wanted two things.
1. Updated and correct informative information that was relevant to them on sex.
2. A place where they could ask information that wasn’t from Mom or Dad because asking them certain things they found was embarrassing.
In speaking with parents many find it difficult to sympathize with those who are opposed to the New Ontario Sex Education Curriculum. People want it changed to suit their religious and cultural beliefs. One of the main reasons why people live in Canada is that they have the freedom to practice their religion and culture without anyone imposing on their right to freely do so. The problem with this however is that they are imposing their religion and culture onto other parents, their children and others by attempting to force the government to omit changes to the curriculum. Therefore they are attempting to violate children’s rights to access information. Information that will benefit their sexual well-being and their ability to make informed decisions regarding their own health.
In true Canadian government form parents have the option to opt their children out of school for those days in which sex education is being taught, then again, they’ve always have had that right.
