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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Secondary school assembly exploring sex and gender

19 replies

FourFourthsDontCare · 14/10/2021 16:01

I've just received an email from my children's secondary school telling me about an assembly they'll be attending next week. It's to "explore the difference between biological sex and gender identity and how we can help create a more inclusive community by understanding the negative impact of stereotypes...."

I'm all for the dismantling of stereotypes, particularly where they dictate what someone wears, the interests or jobs they pursue, and the name they choose. However, I have several red lines involving single-sex spaces, sport and, y'know, the biological impossibility of altering chromosomes. So, without wishing to leap to conclusions or pigeon-hole myself as "that parent", I do want to ask for clarification on exactly what the school plans to cover. This includes whether or not their resources are from Stonewall. Is this reasonable of me? And, aside from the Stonewall point, does anyone have any suggestions for questions to ask?

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KittenKong · 14/10/2021 16:05

Ask them. Our school actually sent out details of the external supplier with links to their website. Apart from a whole section on trans kids (really need so so many resources?) and the use of the C word (which ds knows will get him sent for adoption) it was ok.

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Jaysmith71 · 14/10/2021 16:08

"Sex" is a real, established scientific thing, to do with chromasomes, gametes and gonads.

"Gender Identity" is a belief system followed by some and not by others.

This is like the "Evolution vs The Bible" discourse.

Not on.

Withdraw child.

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KittenKong · 14/10/2021 16:09

Maybe they are going to say ‘gender is just stereotypes and NOT the same as sex’.

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FourFourthsDontCare · 14/10/2021 16:12

@KittenKong

Maybe they are going to say ‘gender is just stereotypes and NOT the same as sex’.

Well, I hope so, yes...... I just want confirmation - otherwise, as per Jaysmith71's suggestion, I may withdraw my kids (from said assembly not the school).
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Jaysmith71 · 14/10/2021 16:16

....yes, assembly.

Withdrawl from school perhaps drastic.

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FourFourthsDontCare · 14/10/2021 16:17

@Jaysmith71

....yes, assembly.

Withdrawl from school perhaps drastic.

Grin
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AnyOldPrion · 14/10/2021 16:23

At least they warned you, so I guess they’re aware it’s contentious.

Hope they are as helpful with sending you information about the company/materials. I’d withdraw mine too, if they were likely to be given misinformation.

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MsFogi · 14/10/2021 16:32

I think you should be asking what materials they are basing the assembly on and if they are using an external provider. Also raising the point about them complying with the new government guidelines about use of external resources and/or providers and their responsibilities around this. It may be useful to send them some of the Safe School Alliance's factsheets (in particular dfe guidance and the one about providers).

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MrsOvertonsWindow · 14/10/2021 17:14

OP - I've just listened to this podcast from the Nolan Investigates series looking at Stonewall's toxic influence. I'd send the Head a link to episode 5 where Dr David Bell speaks about the capture of treatment for children by adult ideology groups and talks knowledgeably about how we should be treating children with identity issues. No teacher or parent could listen to this and ever allow Stonewall or any of the other gender fanatic organisations near children again:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09yk7dh

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RainbowCrossing · 14/10/2021 17:23

@KittenKong

Ask them. Our school actually sent out details of the external supplier with links to their website. Apart from a whole section on trans kids (really need so so many resources?) and the use of the C word (which ds knows will get him sent for adoption) it was ok.

I hate to nitpick but 'sent for adoption'? Seriously??? Angry
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Popuptent · 14/10/2021 17:30

We had an email about PHSE lessons. I emailed back information from Safe Schools Alliance.

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MsGoodenough · 14/10/2021 18:21

Dds school responded really well to my queries. There's no harm being 'that parent'. Dds school are now in contact with Safe Schiols Alliance and the Head of pshe and I are in regular contact. Please do share your worries with them.

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gluteustothemaximus · 14/10/2021 18:52

Their resources are from stonewall. I work in a school. I overheard the brainwashing nonsense today. It is horrifying.

Women are being erased.

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Motorina · 14/10/2021 18:59

I suspect 'sent for adoption' is about as genuine a threat as when I threaten to send my dog to the catfood factory for processing.

It's quite frightening how this particular ideology (or any ideology) has become unquestionable.

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RainbowCrossing · 14/10/2021 20:09

@Motorina

I suspect 'sent for adoption' is about as genuine a threat as when I threaten to send my dog to the catfood factory for processing.

It's quite frightening how this particular ideology (or any ideology) has become unquestionable.

It's not the threat. Or the impact on the pp's children. It's the impact on MY children - who are adopted - when they hear this kind of casual jokey, 'your parents had you adopted because you weren't good enough'. Which they do. And it hurts like hell. So I wasn't expecting to see it here. So I pointed it out.

That's all.
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KittenKong · 14/10/2021 20:14

I apologise Rainbow. Sorry - it was a crass and thoughtless comment. I used to ask my mum if I was adopted (my friend at primary was and she was always told that she was special because she was chosen).

My mum used to threaten to mince me up and shove me down the drain, so I don’t have much of a valve there.

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RainbowCrossing · 14/10/2021 20:25

@KittenKong

I apologise Rainbow. Sorry - it was a crass and thoughtless comment. I used to ask my mum if I was adopted (my friend at primary was and she was always told that she was special because she was chosen).

My mum used to threaten to mince me up and shove me down the drain, so I don’t have much of a valve there.

That's ok. Sorry - I was being a bit of a snowflake. Thanks for being so gracious.

Having a bit of a shit day (with stuff entirely related to Dd's care experienced-ness) and it just hit a nerve FlowersGin
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ChateauMargaux · 15/10/2021 07:22

Look at the UK.gov guidelines and the requirements to work with organisations that use evidence based information and do not suggest that people are born in the wrong bodies... if there is a lack of evidence in the support documentation or a suggestion that people can be born in the wrong body, suggest that they reconsider until they have had a chance to look closer at the material.

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toomanytrees · 15/10/2021 17:57

In an assembly, the children do not have a chance to discuss or question. Second they will probably have already heard this ad nauseam. Third it will be very, very, very, boring. Forth, it may be an embarrassing discussion for some, in such a large mixed group. Fifth, it is a complete waste of time. Sixth, it is indoctrination, not education.

Withdraw. Let the child do something more productive and/or fun.

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