FGM on year 5 school curriculum

[MermaidMummy]

I'm really not sure if I'm being unreasonable, so I'm interested in everyone's thoughts.
My 9-year-old's class has just started learning about puberty. We have been told that the next lesson will cover terminology such as erection, sperm and female genital mutilation.
I just don't get why they need to learn about FGM at 9 years old. Some of these kids are very "young" for their age, and mine is very sensitive (won't watch the news in case an "adult topic" crops up).
What is the rationale for teaching this in year 5? There is nobody in the class from a cultural background likely to carry out FGM, but even if there was, would a 9 year-old know that it might happen to them and inform a teacher (if that is the rationale for teaching it)? From what I have read they aren't told anything about it in advance. If it has already happened to them, what is the benefit of bringing it up in class? Couldn't it be damaging and stigmatising?

@Ivegotthree what a nasty racist you are.

It means that the 9 year old in the class who has been 'cut' can find out it isn't done to everyone and that she should report it.

It means your dd is aware of it before she encounters in inn the future of she become a health care professional or a teacher.

It means that 9 year olds who have friends from other schools will discuss it and it will become 'known' in the same way as 9 year olds know not to go with strangers.

It means that children may tell parents it is illegal.

It means that if a girl is aware a 'special'adult is coming from her parents / grandparents home country to see a number of girls that she just might inform someone.

But this isn't basic sex education is it? It's abuse, barbaric torture and on par with cutting off a child's penis. For a second ever lesson on puberty it just doesn't seem right.

I doubt they will be given vivid details, we teach children that if they go with strangers they might get hurt or not see mummy again, we don't give them details, we give them enough information to know what's wrong.

How come some Muslims are protesting LGBT being on the curriculum but we are meant to be fine with our nine year olds learning about clitorises being scraped off in the name of religion?

I think it's important. It happens in the UK. Just like LGBT people existing. I think both should be on the curriculum.

I knew from the age of 11 that my best friend had the full FGM, children tell each other things.

That’s absolutely heartbreaking.

Mustard why are you accusing ive of being a nasty racist?

Of course it shouldn't be discussed in year 5.

It is absolutely not on the curriculum for primary, it is planned to be on the curriculum for secondary by 2020.

If it is discussed, I hope at least it is made clear that it is a specific cultural practice as otherwise I can foresee lots of terrified little girls.

Actually @Ivegotthree if you read the facts the parents protesting against LgBT inclusion in the curriculum weren’t just Muslim. They were Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh too. The protest that was filmed happened to have been organised by a local Muslim group, but the meetings involve a lot of other colours / creeds / religions.

Fibbke

Of course it shouldn't be discussed in year 5.

It is absolutely not on the curriculum for primary, it is planned to be on the curriculum for secondary by 2020.

In England?

The curriculum is already the most depressing thing in existence as it is, as long as there is something really vile out there it will be studied in school.

dd is in year 8 and studying - climate change with emphasis on end of life and world disaster, the Gothic in English Lit where they watched The Woman in Black and Crimson Peak and the Holocaust in History, suicide in PSHE. And we wonder why kids are struggling mentally these days. I am absolutely aware this isn't the received mumsnet wisdom btw.

With respect, OP, your DD and her classmates sound much more sensitive than the Year 4 children I know. My children are fairly matter of fact about things, I think because they are normally self-focused at that age and feel it doesn’t apply to them. I take advantage of this opportunity to introduce concepts before they are old enough to be freaked out, so it’s just something they know rather than something we have to have some big talk about. I only have boys so perhaps that makes a difference but I do think you need to consider that the curriculum is created for children across the UK, not just your very sheltered DD’s very sheltered peer group. And most importantly you always have the option to pull your DD out of sex Ed lessons— YABU to try to shut down age appropriate discussion of real world issues just because they might be a bit scary.

link

I'd think I'd done something wrong if my kids were matter of fact about FGM at age 8.

Actually I just found this:

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-47348878

Absolutely agree with teaching at at secondary.

“How come some Muslims are protesting LGBT being on the curriculum but we are meant to be fine with our nine year olds learning about clitorises being scraped off in the name of religion?”

1. It’s not just Muslims that are opposed to teaching about LGBT issues. Many other religions are equally bigoted and wrong.

1. FGM is not religious practice but a cultural one. The only way it will be wiped out is if it becomes unacceptable and education is important in getting there.

I'd have no problem with it. I would assume it would be covered at 'Some cultures especially those from A, B, C area cut the vulva of girls for these reasons... However it has these problems...In this country it is illegal, as is taking a girl abroad for this to happen. If you are concerned this is going to happen to you or anyone you know you need to talk to a trusted adult'.

I've got a lot more of an issue with schools telling kids they can change sex, or that people have male/female brains etc rather than challenging gender stereotypes and accepting different interests.

@ivegottgree the children will be taught that it is wrong, and if it happens to them or someone they know they should tell someone. Surely it’s similar to the ‘pants’ rule that they are taught.

Bertrand you might find this interesting

Dreadful. So glad my children’s school doesn’t push any of this stuff.

dd is in year 8 and studying - climate change with emphasis on end of life and world disaster, the Gothic in English Lit where they watched The Woman in Black and Crimson Peak and the Holocaust in History, suicide in PSHE. And we wonder why kids are struggling mentally these days. I am absolutely aware this isn't the received mumsnet wisdom btw.

You’re missing the whole point. We teach children about these things because it reduces the chances of them happening again. Do you really think teens commit suicide because they learned about it in PSHE? Quite the opposite — they learn about how to manage mental health issues and see the signs of suicidality in others and help to prevent it. They learn that if they are depressed they are not alone, and that suicide is not the answer. They’re not getting a primer on which wrist veins to cut and how to make a fatal cocktail using household chemicals.

I truly cannot conceive that anyone would think this is bad. You are lucky that your grandparents aren’t Holocaust survivors — as mine are— and that you don’t know anyone at risk for suicide not that you would recognize the signs anyway . Also there are amazing stories of hope and resilience among all of the sad history. With the way things are going in the world our kids may need that inspiration.

You’re missing the whole point No I am not. They are all crammed into the year 8 curriculum and its an extremely hard list of things for them to process. She also did the Holocaust at primary school in year 6, plus suicide and scary stories so forgive her for starting to think there literally isn't anything else to be taught.

You have absolutely no idea about my history or my family so don't talk to me about being lucky.

She’s 9 and cries at the thought of periods? And that’s the schools fault?

She thinks a lot of it is to try and grab teens attention and I can't say I disagree. The more brutal and shocking the more likely kids are to be gripped by it I guess.

@MermaidMummy my DD did this in year7 & I was concerned too. But my DD got back from school with lot of information, eyes opened & it wasn't presented as badly as I feared. It was more talking & no pictures. Few girls cried but in the end all of them had empathy for those less fortunate girls who may be victims of FGM.

Do talk to your daughter a bit beforehand but it might not be as bad as you fear.

Hope this was of some use to you.

Year 7.

Not year 5.

" a few girls cried" ffs

I await the posters crowing at how dreadfully sheltered they must be

poor kids.