Dear __________________,
Thank you for your note and the copy of the parent’s guide to the health and physical education curriculum. I commend you on your wisdom in sending this home to parents and inviting concerns and questions.
I have read through the parent’s guide a couple of times and wanted to write a brief note so that you can understand the perspective my wife and I take as parents. My only area of concern is related to the section on ‘sexual health’, and my concerns here are very deep. As a parent with deep and specific moral convictions, I find it tragic that we have now reduced sexual morality to the question of consent. Rightly understood, what we are teaching the next generation is that anything is acceptable, provided both parties are consenting. This is not the morality that has long established the culture you and I grew up in, and I believe it will bring forth very bitter fruit in the future. Having said this, I realize I am in the minority.
I think many people are surprised to discover how openly matters of sexuality are discussed in the home of Christian’s concerned for their children. We speak openly, and at age appropriate times, to our children about all matters related to human sexuality. Unlike the current provincial curriculum, however, we hold a much higher standard than consent. I would agree, that any sexual act that goes against consent is wrong, but I would also teach my children that there are sexual acts between two consenting adults that are also wrong. The standard we teach and hope our children will be faithful to is that all sexual action is wrong when it occurs between two unmarried people. Furthermore, we believe that marriage cannot be redefined by the government and will always exist only between one man and one woman. Again, I realize that I am the minority in this regard, however, this is the firm belief I hold and what I teach my children.
In many circles, this sort of teaching is now being exaggerated by our opponents, as if we would teach our children to treat others with disrespect when they hold views other than that which we have taught them. I hope that you will see in S____ and E_____ that this is not true, that they are taught the older, and I believe more sincere, form of tolerance, that every one has a right to hold an opinion, but not all opinions have equal validity.
I have written this note in the hopes of imparting some deeper understanding to the reason behind my request that my children not be instructed in ways that contradict what I believe. I would be pleased if more teachers took a moment to seek the input of parents on these very sensitive matters. It is my strong belief that public educators are not rightly equipped to teach morality to children, this is the realm of the parent.
I realize that as a public educator you are required to teach certain curriculum. I also realize you have your own personal views on these matters. My request, in this regard, is simply that S____ be excused from any class where there will be specific instruction on human sexuality. I think it would be most helpful if you could let me know by the agenda of upcoming days when this curriculum will be taught so that I can make alternative plans and you will not have to disrupt class in order to centre S____ out and excuse him to the hall.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to work these things out further. Be assured of my respect and support for you in your role as S____’s teacher, and thank you for honouring my role as his parent.
Sincerely,
Marc Bertrand