There is no question that children in this day and age not only need to be prepared for the world in which they live, but also need to receive a well-researched and evidenced RSE that will prepare them for the onslaught of the highly sexualised society in which they will be living as adults. The rationale behind the new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in English schools is sound and sensible; however RSE teaching in some schools is anything but sound and sensible.
Exposing children to possible abuse and grooming
RSE Review highlights examples and provides evidence of potentially very harmful resources to which many of our children are being exposed. It is a misguided mindset that teaching young children details about sex protects them from abuse. The opposite is the truth: exposing children to explicit sexual images and instruction before they have the cognition to understand the context, makes indelible imprints on their brain patterns, lowers their natural inhibition and exposes them to abuse and possibly grooming. Furthermore, describing various sex acts to adolescents does not constitute responsible sex education.
Teaching politically driven, unscientific concepts
An area of serious concern is the introduction of teaching about “gender identity” into schools from the age of 4. In this and many other instances, RSE has been captured by ideologically driven organisations that are heavily funded and very influential amongst our young people. Reading a book to young children about a girl who became a boy, is not part of a sensitive, caring education but plants into innocent minds the concept of choosing gender which is not only confusing but is outright false. Just when our children need to start making sense of their world, some of them are being taught unscientific concepts and ideas.
“Born in the wrong body” – teaching children to reject themselves
No child is born in the wrong body. Whilst some children may have tendencies and preferences most often associated with the opposite gender to their natal sex, this does not mean there is anything “wrong” with them. Children should be given freedom to take on or reject various gender stereotypes in the context of a scientific binary understanding of the sexes.
Teaching children friendship and sexual attraction are the same
Children’s friendships are so important to their natural development. We must ensure that they can nurture and develop these friendships innocently. This will not only become an important milestone in their socialisation but will also give them the foundation for establishing relationships in the future. Many of the resources cited here suggest sexualising those same-sex friendships in an adult gay and lesbian framework. This distorts and confuses the natural process of growing up.
Safe, established RSE principles or progressive, untested principles?
The RSE Review website is not for the faint-hearted. In an endeavour to ensure 100% safeguarding, we highlight shocking materials that children are being taught in some schools today. Leaders of this country need to be well-informed so that they are clear about which resources they are comfortable to promote and endorse. Parents need to be alerted to these materials so that they too can decide for themselves whether they wish their children to receive this instruction.
Guidance of Relationships and Sex Education and its resources must be rooted in a scientific understanding of biological sex alongside familial patterns that have kept British society stable for generations. Or do we wish that generations of children are to be abandoned and taught in an unprotected sea of confusing and dangerous ideas concerning sexual identity and educated in alternative family structures whose viability and sustainability are yet to be proven.
Bibliography
Books
Brunskell-Evans, Heather and Moore, Michele (eds), Inventing Transgender Children and Young People
Christian Institute, Too Much, Too Young: Why Primary Schools Should Not Be Forced to Teach Sex Education
Cross, David, What’s Wrong with Human Rights?
Davie, Martin, Religious Approaches to Human Rights
Hill, Clifford, The Reshaping of Britain
James, Sharon, Gender Ideology: What Do Christians Need to Know?
Morgan, Patricia, The Marriage Files
Murray, Douglas, The Madness of Crowds
Nolland, Lisa, Moseley, Carys et al, The New Normal
Nolland, Lisa, Sugden, Chris and Finch, Sarah (eds), God, Gays and the Church
Odone, Cristina, In Bad Faith: The New Betrayal of Faith Schools
Relationships and Sex Education: The Way Forward (report from the Lords and Commons Family and Child Protection Group)
Rose, Lynda (ed), What are They Teaching the Children?
Schumm, Walter, Same-Sex Parenting Research
The Maranatha Community, What on Earth Are We Doing to Our Children?
Wells, Norman, Unprotected: How the Normalisation of Underage Sex is Exposing Children and Young People to the Risk of Sexual Exploitation
Videos
Child sex advocates, anti-Christian activists and sexual radicals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxMONU2yMqk
Former Tavistock therapist claims doctors are over diagnosing transgender children: https://www.itv.com/thismorning/hot-topics/former-tavistock-clinic-therapist-whistleblower
Kids Aren’t Alright RT International 14 10 19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxL3uFGstmw
Let’s Educate & Celebrate (Pop’n’Olly) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B74X1mTZwuM
LGBTQI+ Education for Kids (Pop’n’Olly): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpxVs7Ueby
Petey the Penis (from ‘Respect Yourself’ website): https://twitter.com/QuestionLGBTedu/status/1181965706331611139
The War on Children: The Comprehensive Sexuality Education Agenda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnSVaDt5C9E