After reading Kevin Ma's article (Gazette, Jan. 31) "Simpson parents criticize Christian sex-ed group", I felt compelled to add my voice to the discussion. As a parent of a child in the public school system I chose a school system that is not governed by faith-based education for a reason. I don't want morality to be taught in my child's school. I would like facts, science and inclusion to be the focus of any topic in school. I want my child to be exposed to critical thinking rather than black and white rules. The article covers my views on this part of the argument well.
I want to add another important point. As a mental health therapist and social worker who works in St. Albert, I am well aware of the number of LGBTQ adolescents in the school system as a whole. Programs that do not address gender diversity and sexual minorities directly marginalize this population to the fringes. Junior high is a time developmentally when teens are just starting to understand their sexuality and we need to ensure that we make room for those discussions. Our LGBTQ youth are especially vulnerable. We do not need to advocate for any particular way of being in the world, only to allow space for the conversation and allow youth to talk openly about diversity. I think it is up to families to teach morality, religion and culture. It is the school system's job to create safe spaces for kids to learn about facts, science and healthy living. The Pregnancy Care Centre is a religious-based, anti-abortion organization that has no place in my child's school.
Krista Osborne, St. Albert
