Justawoman
10-04-2005, 09:21 AM
I am so glad my monthly magazines are online. This way I can share with you all the articles that really stick out and yell at me. I left the title of this thread the same as the article in this months US News. As you read on you will understand why. As a parent of school aged children this article was upsetting to me because as a parent, often times I do feel like my opinion is not wanted at my children's schools. I stick my nose in anyway. I hope you all do too.
David and Tonia Parker of Lexington, Mass., saw a red flag when their son came home from kindergarten last January with a "diversity book bag" that included Who ' s in a Family, a book promoting acceptance of gay marriage. The Parkers thought it was their right, as parents, to decide when and how to introduce their son to the issue of homosexuality.
The Parkers did not attack the "diversity book bag" program. They requested notification of any future school discussions of homosexuality so they could have their son opt out. They pointed to a state law defending the opt-out right of parents. The school argued that the law pertained to sex education, not discussion of family forms. In a series of E-mails, the school agreed to a meeting, where the Parkers thought an accommodation would be offered. When the school took a hard-nosed stance instead, David Parker refused to leave school property. He was arrested, led off to jail in handcuffs, then allowed out on bail.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts said the school is on sound legal ground (no surprise there), arguing that "public education would grind to a halt if parents had the right to demand classes tailored to each child based on the parent's moral views."
The strongly liberal Boston Globe offered some questionable reporting on the controversy. In one report last May, it blandly referred to Who ' s in a Family as "a book that depicts a same-sex couple." Another report quoted a smug educational bureaucrat comparing the Parkers' argument to that of a parent who wanted James and the Giant Peach removed from a school. But the dispute isn't about censorship, oversensitive parents, or even gay marriage. The Parkers have made no antigay statements and have kept their argument tightly focused on parental rights to allow their children to opt out on issues of sexuality and lessons that implicitly approve gay marriage.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/051010/10john.htm
I for one am tired of the double standards of schools. They tell us they want us to be a part of our childs educational process. Then when caring parents do voice an opinion/concern/moral view point the parent is treated like a trespassing stranger. Who is actually raising our children?
David and Tonia Parker of Lexington, Mass., saw a red flag when their son came home from kindergarten last January with a "diversity book bag" that included Who ' s in a Family, a book promoting acceptance of gay marriage. The Parkers thought it was their right, as parents, to decide when and how to introduce their son to the issue of homosexuality.
The Parkers did not attack the "diversity book bag" program. They requested notification of any future school discussions of homosexuality so they could have their son opt out. They pointed to a state law defending the opt-out right of parents. The school argued that the law pertained to sex education, not discussion of family forms. In a series of E-mails, the school agreed to a meeting, where the Parkers thought an accommodation would be offered. When the school took a hard-nosed stance instead, David Parker refused to leave school property. He was arrested, led off to jail in handcuffs, then allowed out on bail.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts said the school is on sound legal ground (no surprise there), arguing that "public education would grind to a halt if parents had the right to demand classes tailored to each child based on the parent's moral views."
The strongly liberal Boston Globe offered some questionable reporting on the controversy. In one report last May, it blandly referred to Who ' s in a Family as "a book that depicts a same-sex couple." Another report quoted a smug educational bureaucrat comparing the Parkers' argument to that of a parent who wanted James and the Giant Peach removed from a school. But the dispute isn't about censorship, oversensitive parents, or even gay marriage. The Parkers have made no antigay statements and have kept their argument tightly focused on parental rights to allow their children to opt out on issues of sexuality and lessons that implicitly approve gay marriage.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinion/articles/051010/10john.htm
I for one am tired of the double standards of schools. They tell us they want us to be a part of our childs educational process. Then when caring parents do voice an opinion/concern/moral view point the parent is treated like a trespassing stranger. Who is actually raising our children?