SEX EDUCATION & PUBLIC SCHOOLS
HAVE SCHOOLS GONE TOO FAR IN TEACHING ABOUT SEXUALITY AND GENDER ?
Key Facts
In California, All instruction and materials in grades K-12 must be inclusive of LGBTQ students. Instruction shall affirmatively recognize that people have different sexual orientations and, when discussing or providing examples of relationships and couples, must be inclusive of same-sex relationships.[1]
In California, Abstinence may not be discussed in isolation from other methods of preventing HIV, other STIs, and pregnancy.[2]
One study found that 92.0 percent of Democrats said sexual orientation should be included in high school sex education programs compared to 74.9 percent of Republicans who advocated for its inclusion.[3]
Key Scriptures
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Application
Sex education has been a topic of debate as new curriculum is being introduced in California and schools across the nation. The controversial curriculum has raised questions pertaining to the balance of the public schools’ responsibility versus the parents’ responsibility to educate children about sexual issues. Many worry that the new curriculum will encourage children toward immoral behavior.
Sex Education in Schools
While the Scriptures contain clear teachings about sexual morality, they do not address many of the specific concerns discussed in Sex Education classes. Most parents advocate for classes that educate children on scientific reproduction. But among the more controversial subjects taught in these classes are advocacy for non-traditional sexual behaviors and information and advocacy regarding birth control and family planning. While schools often purport to advance only factual, medical information, much of the curriculum advocates for and normalizes sexual behaviors contrary to the Christian worldview. Thus, it is not solely an expression of medical research but makes moral claims about what should be considered “acceptable” or “normal” sexual behaviors.
Much of sex education is not reflective of biology, but rather the teachings reflect the world’s view of ‘healthy relationships.’ These views include information pertaining to the access of contraceptives, the normalization of deviant sexual practices, and the affirmation LGBTQ sexuality. These teachings are contrary to Scripture. Christians must be able to discern between teaching biology and teaching morally acceptable sexual behavior.
Biblical View of Sex
As parents attempt to educate their children about biblical sexual relations, it is necessary to study the Scriptures and learn what the biblical view of sex is. Sexual relationships should only take place in the context of marriage between one man and one woman (Gen 2:23-24; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). Sex is not a bad thing, but rather is a blessing within the context that God intended it. As Christians educate children on the biblical view of sex, they should continually refer to the Scriptures to avoid propagating distorted views of sex.
Parental Responsibility
In America, the education system’s goal is to educate children on a factual basis--rather than on moral opinions. This moral education is the responsibility of the parent. It is solely the parent’s responsibility to decide what children are taught concerning moral and immoral sexual behaviors.
When raising children, it is the parents’ responsibility to train a child in the way he or she should go (Proverbs 22:6). This means that, ultimately, parents are responsible for the education of their children and should discern how to approach teachings that may go against their moral sensibilities.
Christians may allow for the factual education of their children concerning biology and reproduction by those who have studied science and education. If a parent allows their student to attend a sexual education class, they should remember that the school curriculums educate according to the world’s standards of sexuality.
Christians are called to be distinct from the world; sexuality is one way Christianity is very distinct from the current culture (Romans 12:2). Whether Christian parents choose to allow their child to attend a sex education lecture or not, it is essential to provide children with biblical education about sex.
Conclusion
Christians should make informed and wise decisions concerning sex education in their schools. Even if Christians choose to allow students to attend a sex education class, they should be responsible for teaching their child about sexual morality. Christian parents may come to differing conclusions about the correct way to respond to sex education classes in the public school system. However, it is important that Christians do not neglect to teach their children the biblical perspective of sexual behaviors and sexual health. Sex education in schools should never be viewed as a replacement for Christian parents teaching their children about these issues.