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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that this cartoon really isn't too "graphic" for seven year olds?

225 replies

squirrel42 · 04/03/2010 20:01

Full news story is here: the latest Mail-sponsored "uproar" is over a sex education cartoon being shown at a primary school. Parents were apparently asked in advance if they wanted to view it first, some weren't able to attend the pre-viewing session but okayed it for their children to see anyway. At least one was later angry enough about what their child saw and some other children "copying" what they'd seen (presumbly not completely) that they have removed their child from the school.

I found a youtube link to the cartoon they're talking about here (NSFW obviously since it has cartoon sexual intercourse in it). Maybe it's my wooly liberal side speaking, but I really don't see what the problem is with that clip. You don't see any erect cartoon penises or a close up of "the action" just the general bodily movements, and sex is presented as an enjoyable activity engaged in by adults who love each other. Not quite what the parent says in their DM quote: "It should have said in the letter children would learn how to have sexual intercourse".

I really don't get what is in the cartoon that is apparently so objectionable for seven to eight year olds. Thoughts?

OP posts:
seeker · 07/03/2010 11:28

Of course she is entitled to her views. But she is expressing a desire for the state not to be involved in her child's sex education. So she can withdraw her child. I am happy for the state to educate my child in this matter, although I feel I have done quite a good job myself, because I think it is for the greater good that children are as well informed as possible.

ray81 · 07/03/2010 11:31

Chippingin if you are happy for your children to know all about puberty and sex and answer their questions can i ask why you wouldnt want them to see the video if you have already said sorry to ask again am 7 months pg and memory is not so good. Just interested. i fully understand that we all have different opinions re our children and chose to parent differently im not saying either way is correct although i would like to think mine is !

I dont know if you saw my other post re my family and the differences between us even though we were brought up the same, i wonder why this is and if personalty has more of an impact on these things then any of us realise and no matter what we or the government try to do teenagers have sex when they choose to for no other reason then they want to or not.
i'm not judging anyone for not showing their children the video again it is personaly choice and i respect that am just interested in the reasons behind the choice if i dont agree then i will still do it my way however you or someone else may have a very valid point that i may not have thought about which could change my mind.

Sorry to waffle again the joys of pg

ChippingIn · 07/03/2010 12:23

Ray - you could have done a search on my name under this thread if you wanted to read what I'd said - but as you are 7 months pregnant, I'll just repeat it again for you [and your opinion can't be right - mine is ]

IMO

7 year olds do not need to see adults (cartoon or not) having sex to understand the biology of it (penis goes into vagina).

It's a 'visual' that they don't need to carry around in their heads. When they are play fighting or playing horse with Dad - they shouldn't be in the position of equating that with the 'fun' this woman was having riding her partner!

They do not need to see adults playing chase and it ending with his 'stiff penis' inside her 'slippery vagina'.

It talks about when one grown up loves another grown up, it's what they do to show their love (or some such crap - I am not watching it again to get it word for word!) - I love my BIL - doesn't mean I want my kids to think that he puts his stiff penis into my slippery vagina.

I just find the whole voice over a bit disturbing.

I did see the post about you & your sisters (had to read it twice to keep up!! LOL). I think personality has a huge impact on when we first have sex - much more so that any 'sex education' you get at school, which is why I think parents, on an individual child basis, are far better placed to educate their children about sex than schools. However, I know not all parents will do this, so sex-ed at school is probably not a bad thing - but not like this, at 7.

There's nothing like a good waffle - and I'm not even pregnant!!

ray81 · 07/03/2010 12:54

Chippingin, good points i hadnt actually thought about it like that, them thinking every adult has sex with each other and having the images in their head when they are playing is actualy quite disturbing.

I wonder also if it would scare them, thinking that thats whats going to happen everytime they play or get excited etc.

Perhaps i wont show it to my DD and just leave her with the info she already has at this time.

I agree that sex ed is a good thing as like you said there will be parents that will not give their children the info that they need to make informed choices however agree not with this video at age 7. dont think the video would be an issue with older children though.

LOL at you trying to keep up with my family details i must say i lose track sometimes!! thats not even the half of it i am actually one of 9. Mum and dad not together, were very young when they had me and both went on to have more children.

OMG ido waffle why on earth would you want to know that!! i realy am losing it. thanks for cutting me some slack becauseof being pg.

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 13:03

Tott -- so glad you agree this shouldn't be shown to seven yos. That's what this thread is about. Many people have said 9,10, OK. I do too.

It's not hidden away,if you show it at home. It's just a video you show at home why is that hidden away?

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 13:42

Seeker: re: your own exclusions : if I chose to send my child to a school where I knew this video was being shown and I would have to exclude him or her I woudn't have much to complain about.

seeker · 07/03/2010 14:54

I must be very thick today- barefootinthepark- I don't understand your last post.

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 15:05

Why have you had to withdraw your child from assemblies? Are they at a church school?

prettyfly1 · 07/03/2010 15:05

You are fxxxking kidding me - I would be HORRIFIED if my son was watching that at that age - why the bloody hell cant we just let children be children for goodness sake - that was just illustrated porn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 15:07

Actually am just glad the consensus is "not suitable for 7yo".

Thediaryofanobody · 07/03/2010 15:11

Seeker as Claig says my Dh and I pay our taxes but we do intend to educate our children at home.
May I also point out that state schools MUST by law have some form of christian worship, if you don't wish for your children to be exposed to this then I suggest you take your own advice and withdraw them.

seeker · 07/03/2010 17:00

"I suggest you take your own advice and withdraw them"

Absolutely. As people should do if they don't like this video.

BUT someone said that they didn't want to do this as it would mean that their child would be left out. That's what you have to do if you want to make a principled stand on something!

I do think that the people saying it is porn are being just a little hysterical and silly.

seeker · 07/03/2010 17:02

"I suggest you take your own advice and withdraw them"

Absolutely. As people should do if they don't like this video.

BUT someone said that they didn't want to do this as it would mean that their child would be left out. That's what you have to do if you want to make a principled stand on something!

I do think that the people saying it is porn are being just a little hysterical and silly.

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 17:15

Not many people have said it is porn. Very few.

Why should your view obtain? Sex is different from any other subject. Giving children the facts does not mean, lo, all children will process it maturely and sensibly and come to appropriate conclusions.

My goodness me, it doesn't even work that way with adults.

Show it to Y6 if you must but seven yos? Should not have the stamp of approval for sure. Too much. Really silly to ignore all the cogent arguments against.

Mumcentreplus · 07/03/2010 17:19

fgs stand by your principles and grow a back-bone if you dont want your child to watch it then withdraw them..dont worry about them feeling left out..

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 17:20

grow a backbone? grow your own and show it to them at home instead

have you even read the thread?

Mumcentreplus · 07/03/2010 17:27

Huh?

mumeeee · 07/03/2010 17:30

I have only just seen this. I definatley think that this video is not suitable for 7 year olds to be watching at school. When mine were at primary they were shown this type of video when they were in year six which is 10 to 11 year ols. I think that age is fine to start.

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 17:32

huh what? you haven't a clue

show it to yours at home, tell them they aren't to take it to the playground, tell the teachers they've seen it, and stop bothering my kid with it

if you really want to reduce the discussion to this level

Mumcentreplus · 07/03/2010 17:38

barefoot I think you are mis-understanding me my dear...I would not allow my 7yr old to watch this cartoon and I have no issues at all about withdrawing them...because I dont worry about them feeling left out somethings are the responsibility of the parent and to me this is one of them...that was my point...so wind your neck in...

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 17:50

we shouldn't have to withdraw them if people want to show it to their children let the onus be on them

I didn't misunderstand being told to grow a backbone

Mumcentreplus · 07/03/2010 17:56

I agree with you...why not give the dvds to the parents and let them show it at a time they deem as appropriate for their child...but i have a feeling that will not happen...so I have no quarms about withdrawing mine...should i have said grow some balls instead?

barefootinthepark · 07/03/2010 17:58

no you should have said

I personally don't mind withdrawing my child. I can understand and respect why others would feel uncomfortable with it.

Tbh it's just one of the pile of reasons why this should be a non starter.

Mumcentreplus · 07/03/2010 18:04

ah well...usually my posts tend to be completely perfect an that..I just think if its something you believe will affect your child,that they are not ready for,that you are uncomfortable with...then them feeling left out would be my last consideration..

seeker · 07/03/2010 18:11

I have to say thatwhen I say that I don't want to withdraw my children from school assemblies because i don't see why they should be removed from a key part of the school commumity's day I usually get told to put up or shut up....

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