Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

If your culture is defensible it could handle critcism, and you could reply to it with substance and not playing victim and making nonsensical leaps.

You seem to have a problem with a very normal request to segregate elementary students by gender during sex Ed. I’d wager that most school districts segregate students by gender for at least some of the lessons taught in sex Ed. You seem to believe that if we are against mixed gender classes for sex ed then somehow we are gonna don a burka. Please explain why we need to change something that is already working. What is the evidence that mixed gender sex Ed classes are better? In fact Fairfax County also wanted sex ed to be mixed gender. 85% of the parents in Fairfax county were against it. Now they are revisiting their recommendation and have realized that it is a stupid idea that is potentially harmful.

It’s also very normal to have coed sex ed classes.

This feels like another “crt” political wedge issue.

Ok so if both are normal (and I’d wager that segregated sex ed classes are the more popular choice) then what’s the point of APS changing the policy?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

If your culture is defensible it could handle critcism, and you could reply to it with substance and not playing victim and making nonsensical leaps.

You seem to have a problem with a very normal request to segregate elementary students by gender during sex Ed. I’d wager that most school districts segregate students by gender for at least some of the lessons taught in sex Ed. You seem to believe that if we are against mixed gender classes for sex ed then somehow we are gonna don a burka. Please explain why we need to change something that is already working. What is the evidence that mixed gender sex Ed classes are better? In fact Fairfax County also wanted sex ed to be mixed gender. 85% of the parents in Fairfax county were against it. Now they are revisiting their recommendation and have realized that it is a stupid idea that is potentially harmful.

It’s also very normal to have coed sex ed classes.

This feels like another “crt” political wedge issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

If your culture is defensible it could handle critcism, and you could reply to it with substance and not playing victim and making nonsensical leaps.

You seem to have a problem with a very normal request to segregate elementary students by gender during sex Ed. I’d wager that most school districts segregate students by gender for at least some of the lessons taught in sex Ed. You seem to believe that if we are against mixed gender classes for sex ed then somehow we are gonna don a burka. Please explain why we need to change something that is already working. What is the evidence that mixed gender sex Ed classes are better? In fact Fairfax County also wanted sex ed to be mixed gender. 85% of the parents in Fairfax county were against it. Now they are revisiting their recommendation and have realized that it is a stupid idea that is potentially harmful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

If your culture is defensible it could handle critcism, and you could reply to it with substance and not playing victim and making nonsensical leaps.

You seem to have a problem with a very normal request to segregate elementary students by gender during sex Ed. I’d wager that most school districts segregate students by gender for at least some of the lessons taught in sex Ed. You seem to believe that if we are against mixed gender classes for sex ed then somehow we are gonna don a burka. Please explain why we need to change something that is already working. What is the evidence that mixed gender sex Ed classes are better? In fact Fairfax County also wanted sex ed to be mixed gender. 85% of the parents in Fairfax county were against it. Now they are revisiting their recommendation and have realized that it is a stupid idea that is potentially harmful.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

If your culture is defensible it could handle critcism, and you could reply to it with substance and not playing victim and making nonsensical leaps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

If your culture is defensible it could handle critcism, and you could reply to it with substance and not playing victim and making nonsensical leaps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

Respectfully, I doubt this. And modesty and embarrassment are not the norms that secular public education wants to inculcate.

DP. Sorry, but the PP is right. Most Americans do not want to promote immodesty in their children. As for "inculcating norms", yes, schools can and do inculcate norms. They don't need to inculcate abnorms, or whatever the opposite of cultural norms are. When they do, they get pushback.

No. Sex ed is a scientific and public health topic, not a religious or moral one. Agendas like modesty and shame over bodies or sexuality have no place in the classroom. Sex and reproduction isn't some special thing that needs to be treated more delicately from other topics. Sex is a natural and healthy urge, like eating or sleeping, and should be treated in a straightforward, matter of fact way. I also would have no tolerance for schools promoting the shaming of behaviors around eating or sleeping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

Respectfully, I doubt this. And modesty and embarrassment are not the norms that secular public education wants to inculcate.

DP. Sorry, but the PP is right. Most Americans do not want to promote immodesty in their children. As for "inculcating norms", yes, schools can and do inculcate norms. They don't need to inculcate abnorms, or whatever the opposite of cultural norms are. When they do, they get pushback.

No. Sex ed is a scientific and public health topic, not a religious or moral one. Agendas like modesty and shame over bodies or sexuality have no place in the classroom. Sex and reproduction isn't some special thing that needs to be treated more delicately from other topics. Sex is a natural and healthy urge, like eating or sleeping, and should be treated in a straightforward, matter of fact way. I also would have no tolerance for schools promoting the shaming of behaviors around eating or sleeping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

Respectfully, I doubt this. And modesty and embarrassment are not the norms that secular public education wants to inculcate.

DP. Sorry, but the PP is right. Most Americans do not want to promote immodesty in their children. As for "inculcating norms", yes, schools can and do inculcate norms. They don't need to inculcate abnorms, or whatever the opposite of cultural norms are. When they do, they get pushback.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS feedback on this issue is just one more example of the "performative engagement" that they excel in. As usual, tiny little text boxes limited to 500 characters.

In contrast, Fairfax did a real survey and 85% of respondents didn't support the switch to gender combined lessons. Some of their school board members even raised the issue that there is a "lack of research available on gender combined and gender separate sex education lessons". I don't have an opinion yet but what's the rationale for the proposed change. I applaud fairfax for forming a committee to advise on these changes rather than the APS approach of put it up in the summer and hope no one comments.

https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/fairfax-schools-committee-updates-recommended-changes-for-coed-sex-education-lessons/article_d4bfb7a0-176b-11ee-9917-23666abac151.html#comments

Also Why are we adding female genital mutilation to the content areas covered? It seems like it already covers alot of ground, and we're adding more. Is FGM necessary to include in the APS course? Is it an issue in APS? It's a horrific practice but it doesn't make sense to me why it's part of the APS curriculum.



https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/files/CTAJW34F1AEF/$file/I-7.1.8%20Combined.pdf

Agree and agree.
FGM isn't exactly "sex education." It's cultural and legal studies.
Does the existing curriculum cover circumcision? Sorry to admit, I don't know - haven't looked at the curriculum that closely.

Sadly this is necessary. We have students who come from cultures where the parents will send them back home to grandma to get mutilated, despite the fact it is a crime.

However you feel about circumcision (I am anti-), if the curriculum covers sexual abuse it needs to cover FGM. There is no debate that FGM is abuse, has no legitimate medical purpose in any context, and is illegal.

I disagree. Sexual abuse is covered because kids need to recognize when they are being abused. Circumcision happens at birth and FGM is a cultural thing that is not considered abuse by many of the people exercising it. To teach it is wrong to kids from families that practice it is akin to teaching Jewish kids that circumcision is wrong. FGM is (rightfully, imo) illegal here and horrific; but it's not something all kids need to be aware of for their personal ongoing experiences and safety to recognize when they are being sexually abused by someone.

FGM is abuse. Stop trying to equate it to circumcision. When an American is taken overseas for the purpose of FGM, it is a crime. Not a cultural practice the merits of which can be debated, or a procedure of dubious medical benefit, or even a religious requirement. FGM is a crime.

If educating 1,000 students per year is what saves one Arlington daughter of immigrants from being shipped overseas to be mutilated in this way than it was worth it.

This also isn't a thing. It doesn't happen like that...

https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-law-fgm/texas-woman-charged-with-taking-girl-abroad-for-fgm-in-landmark-u-s-case-idUSL8N2JP3UX

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

Respectfully, I doubt this. And modesty and embarrassment are not the norms that secular public education wants to inculcate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no problem with it. We’re all mammals, nothing we do naturally is anything to be ashamed of.

That is true. Also true that tweens are awkward AF and may feel more comfortable in gender segregated classes for when learning about their bodies.

Probably because they have internalized shame from their parents. Kids learn this stuff, you know. They don’t come naturally equipped with it as any toddler can tell you.

Normalize what is natural, and maybe you won’t have male legislators taxing period products and thinking ectopic pregnancies can end in a healthy term infant.

Children are not blank slates. The tabula rasa theory of people is incorrect. Modesty and shame are developmental, not imposed from others.

If you're going to use psychology as your justification, don't get it wrong.

You think kids don’t learn and internalize our hang ups? That girls are born wanting to cover themselves in burkas in 100 degree heat and humidity and quit sports so they can hide natural processes?

Modesty and shame may be developmental, but come on now with that.

Disgusting and ethnocentric of you to make judgments of other peoples culture and religion. Just because a people don’t embrace western sexual mores doesn’t mean that their views on sex and modesty are wrong. As an Arab and Muslim who is against the burqa, I am becoming more and more appalled by the lip service supposedly “open minded” Americans pay to diversity. You embrace diversity but only if we minions adopt your values and beliefs. There is nothing wrong with modesty and being embarrassed about asking certain questions in front of the opposite sex. This isnt some weird concept. I bet you most Americans, not matter their cultural, religious or political background agree with me. It’s you who is the outlier not us. Not every girl who feels shy about talking about puberty in front of boys is going to wear a burka. What a ridiculous comment.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS feedback on this issue is just one more example of the "performative engagement" that they excel in. As usual, tiny little text boxes limited to 500 characters.

In contrast, Fairfax did a real survey and 85% of respondents didn't support the switch to gender combined lessons. Some of their school board members even raised the issue that there is a "lack of research available on gender combined and gender separate sex education lessons". I don't have an opinion yet but what's the rationale for the proposed change. I applaud fairfax for forming a committee to advise on these changes rather than the APS approach of put it up in the summer and hope no one comments.

https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/fairfax-schools-committee-updates-recommended-changes-for-coed-sex-education-lessons/article_d4bfb7a0-176b-11ee-9917-23666abac151.html#comments

Also Why are we adding female genital mutilation to the content areas covered? It seems like it already covers alot of ground, and we're adding more. Is FGM necessary to include in the APS course? Is it an issue in APS? It's a horrific practice but it doesn't make sense to me why it's part of the APS curriculum.



https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/files/CTAJW34F1AEF/$file/I-7.1.8%20Combined.pdf

Agree and agree.
FGM isn't exactly "sex education." It's cultural and legal studies.
Does the existing curriculum cover circumcision? Sorry to admit, I don't know - haven't looked at the curriculum that closely.

Sadly this is necessary. We have students who come from cultures where the parents will send them back home to grandma to get mutilated, despite the fact it is a crime.

However you feel about circumcision (I am anti-), if the curriculum covers sexual abuse it needs to cover FGM. There is no debate that FGM is abuse, has no legitimate medical purpose in any context, and is illegal.

I disagree. Sexual abuse is covered because kids need to recognize when they are being abused. Circumcision happens at birth and FGM is a cultural thing that is not considered abuse by many of the people exercising it. To teach it is wrong to kids from families that practice it is akin to teaching Jewish kids that circumcision is wrong. FGM is (rightfully, imo) illegal here and horrific; but it's not something all kids need to be aware of for their personal ongoing experiences and safety to recognize when they are being sexually abused by someone.

FGM is abuse. Stop trying to equate it to circumcision. When an American is taken overseas for the purpose of FGM, it is a crime. Not a cultural practice the merits of which can be debated, or a procedure of dubious medical benefit, or even a religious requirement. FGM is a crime.

If educating 1,000 students per year is what saves one Arlington daughter of immigrants from being shipped overseas to be mutilated in this way than it was worth it.

This also isn't a thing. It doesn't happen like that...

That’s exactly how it happens, which is why we had to make it a crime. A summer trip home to grandma results in a girl being horribly mutilated. Please educate yourself.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fact-sheet-on-female-genital-mutilation-or-cutting.html

I'm the poster who asked and will ask again: how will including this in the sex ed courses and teaching it to a bunch of young kids stop an adult from doing this to their daughter?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS is going to update its family life policies this summer, and one of the proposed updates seems to be (assuming I’m reading the doc correctly) making the classes coed.

https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/files/CTAJW34F1AEF/$file/I-7.1.8%20Combined.pdf

There are no boundaries anymore.