As far as the politics of it all – stay in touch with your child’s school for your personal choices. Beyond that there are children having sex who need to know about condoms. There are children who get their sexual education on the streets from sexual predators. If I didn’t live next to the inner city and see it myself I wouldn’t believe how rampant these problems are. (Two of our young women, under 16, have had babies in the last 6 months) Knowledge is power, teenagers need the correct knowledge about their own bodies. If everyone had the gospel it might be a different story. I hate to think the state has to take a parent’s place in any instance, but for some whose parents refuse to step up something must be done. For public health at the very least.

A-MEN.

And, as Kathy says, this difficult tension can cut both ways if we aren’t careful. I, too, am probably viewed by many as a crazy conservative, but when push comes to shove, I really don’t like the extreme-right’s approach to topics like this. There’s often too much hype and not enough reasonable dialogue.

As to comments about sex ed at home, I think that in a way, it’s never too early to start, and most of us probably started pretty early laying the foundation — teaching about body parts, trying to avoid shame associated w/ bodily functions, etc. While I think we ought to be involved and vigilant when our voices can make a difference in the public realm, I focus a lot of my energy on keeping this issue always in mind when interacting w/ my children, and finding ways to teach them line upon line about the truths that can help them recognize what is error in light of God’s plan.

And, I have found the Spirit very, very ready to help me do that. I actually cherish the opportunity to teach my children these things, because the truths surrounding sexuality in our doctrine are, imo, so powerful and the Spirit can do much of the work.

As for my own family, I will become familar with my school’s methods of teaching sex ed. Unless it is really offensive, my kids will take part in those courses. I don’t believe teaching about sex is a one-time deal at home, but rather one which is a process.

My point about liberties is that limiting the family’s sovereignty over individuals can result in some scary situations, but also in some heartening ones. It works in both directions. Do I want the goverment to be able to cross family boundaries in some cases? Yes. Do I want children to have freedom from their family’s grip in some situations? Yes. It’s just not a black-and-white thing. I don’t want the government secretly “indoctrinating” my kids about sex, but this ruling wasn’t just about sex education. The ramifications of a ruling can be difficult to anticipate. This particular one could lead to other rulings that I find abhorrent, but it could lead to rulings that I support. It’s tricky. It’s hard for citizens to really know how decisions like these will play out, esp. when we must rely on the press to tell us what’s going on, and it’s virtually impossible to get the straight scoop.

I remember when the brethren joined in the gathering of religious leaders protesting a proposed ruling designed to limit the power of religious cults like David Koresh’s. I remember when my friend taught me that handgun control laws often perpetuate the very problem they’re supposed to downsize. I’m learning that things are not always what they seem to be in politics, and it makes me hesitant to jump on the bandwagon, esp. when politics get mingled with religious culture.

So, again, I share your concerns and I’m glad you’re trying to start dialogue here. I’m just not able to use the Meridian article as a good basis for the discussion. For me it’s perfect fodder for a discussion about how frustrating it is to find reliable information in the media. But I should apologize for the thread jack.

I, too, would like to hear about what’s actually happening in public schools across the nation.

Anne, thank you. Every time this has come up I’ve said, “But didn’t the infamous 9th circuit rule on that a couple of years ago?” Thanks for giving me the reference. People were looking at me like I was a nutcake. I am, I guess, but not about that.

btw, I grew up in Montgomery County MD, the school district referenced in one segment of the Meridian article. It’s one of the most liberal school districts in the country. Of all the influences on my sex-related choices as an adolescent, my public school sex education is at the way bottom of the list as far as impact goes. So, I try to stay informed, and I try to strike the right balance between protecting my children from harm and harming them by being overprotective. But I don’t get into a tizzy about a secular institution teaching secular values.

Angie, I think you’re wise to point out that the fuss is being caused by special-interest groups. What I want to know in a political article like this one is, are there specific bills that are favored in congress that we should be concerned about?

In addition, I think it’s important to remember that liberties swing both ways. In regards to that California ruling, what if we changed “sexual” for “religious”?

*There is no fundamental right of parents to be the exclusive provider of information regarding religious matters to their children.*