Thursday, April 24, 2014

The Feds promote gender diversity and homosexuality in sex ed

Despite education being a provincial responsibility, the Canadian federal government has issued guidelines on how to structure a sex education program. The latest 2008 update of Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education, published by the Public Health Agency, which reports to the minister of health, is intended to be a “framework” for drafting curricula for Canadians of all ages, including children and youth.

The Canadian Guidelines warns that educators should be careful when defining “sexual health,” as the phrase may be misunderstood to express approval or disapproval of specific behaviours or individuals under the guise of “medical truth.” As well, the guideline states, an ideal curriculum meets the needs of all minorities, including homosexuals. In fact, sex education should promote “critical thinking and reflection about gender identities and gender-role stereotyping. It recognizes the dynamic nature of gender roles, power and privilege and the impact of gender-related issues in society.” It also “challenges the broader and often invisible dynamics of society that privilege certain groups (e.g., heterosexuals).”  (more...)

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