By Tonya Cox
I am sure we can all remember the first time we had the talk about “the birds and the bees.” In my experience, most kids react with disgust at the very notion of sexual intercourse when it is first introduced. I know my children did. Nevertheless, having a healthy view of sexuality and reproduction is a vital part of a child’s education and development. While society shares an interest and a role in the education of children the primary responsibility lies with parents. In fact, the United States Supreme Court declares, “the fundamental interest of parents, as contrasted with that of the state, to guide the religious future and education of their children…… is established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.”
The sexual education of American children was traditionally in the hands of parents and was regrettably lacking, with minimal discussions of sex in the home. Formal sex education eventually made its way into mainstream public instruction with the emphasis on sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage. Children were taught that the pleasurable aspects of sex were meant for marriage and that sex in marriage is more fulfilling if individuals remained abstinent when single. The legalization of the birth control pill and abortion created a new sexual openness which eventually lead to “safe sex” education along with abstinence taught in schools. Under the Obama administration all abstinence sex education funding was eliminated and put towards “pregnancy prevention” campaigns that create dedicated funding streams for “comprehensive” programs, supported by pro-sex organizations, called Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE).
Comprehensive Sexual Education is a global initiative created and promoted by organizations like the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC). “It’s all One” is the two-book curriculum that is available and used by more than 150 countries, including every state in the United States. This curriculum claims it is age-appropriate, evidence-based, healthy sexuality education that will prevent teen pregnancy, sexual abuse, STDs, and HIV. While this sounds good unfortunately there is much more to it. The curriculum effectively works to sexualize children from a very young age and promote abortion. Sexual pleasure is mentioned over 60 times and abortion is referenced 112 times. Multiple sex acts are encouraged in the literature as children are also instructed on how to sexually arouse themselves or their partner. For example, one of the books approved as a part of the curriculum for 4th graders is entitled It’s Perfectly Normal.
It’s Perfectly Normal is a book written for young children and is filled with sexually explicit, pornographic cartoons that teach students how to instigate sexual pleasures such as masturbation and asserts that such things are “perfectly normal.” Judith Reisman, Ph.D. a professor at the Liberty University School of Law and Director of Liberty Child Protection Center explains:“When a child looks at a pornographic image within 3/10 of a second it is imprinted on his or her brain permanently. We know that there is an action which takes place which is called mirroring images so that children will want to or will act out what they see. In the name of sexual education children are shown obscene materials that have been ruled by Congress and the Supreme Court impossible to show to children.” Yet with the changes in sex education policy pornographic images are a part of the curriculum.
Once a change takes place on the policy level parents have little control over what is taught in the schools and who teaches it. The policy changes that affect our children’s sex education are taking place at the United Nations. This last November at the UN, in an unexpected and positive move, an amendment to the policy resolution language maintaining parental guidance in sex education for young children was approved. The African nations orchestrated the amendments and the United States supported them. Many European and Latin American nations were not happy that the amendments passed. A delegate from Norway exclaimed, “Children should decide freely and autonomously” in regards to their sexuality. Many nations and international organizations feel parents interfere with children’s sexual growth and development.
While the vote in November is a victory, the battle is far from over. UN agencies persist in endorsing CSE throughout the world. The United States is not immune with CSE advocated in every state. As adults it is up to us to protect our children. There is much more to know and understand about CSE. We must get educated and expose these materials for what they truly communicate. We are the “gatekeepers” for our children. To safeguard the health and safety of all children it is essential we advocate sexual risk avoidance programs like the The American College of Pediatrics recommends and reject all forms of Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Raise your voice in opposition and defend the health and innocence of children at home and abroad.