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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Can I withdraw Y6 DC from Trans-Ideological RSE Lesson?

43 replies

readingcat · 03/02/2023 19:11

I have requested the lesson plan & materials for DC’s RSE lesson on gender next week. They are full of the prevailing ‘sex assigned at birth’, ‘cis women’, ‘sex is a spectrum’ stuff. One activity involves the kids having to explain why it’s wrong to only offer male & female as categories, pronouns etc. Many of the fiddly distinctions offered between categories of sexuality, romantic attraction, gender identity etc in the handout will be beyond a Y6, frankly. I will complain, of course, but it will only see me branded an evil Terf, I expect. Do I have the right to withdraw DC from the lesson and what else, if anything, can I do?

OP posts:
Sotiredofallthisnonsense · 03/02/2023 19:14

Are you in England - who is the provider?

Johnnysgirl · 03/02/2023 19:14

Yes. Do it.

Swimswam · 03/02/2023 19:17

If it’s not allowed maybe DC can be ill that day or have an important ‘appointment’. I did that last year with my DC we had a lovely lunch, chatted through the issues in a more appropriate way. I wouldn’t hesitate.

Original poster
readingcat · 03/02/2023 19:17

Yes, England and it’s an independent school. They’ve pulled some resources off Twinkl, others off YouTube and teachers will deliver them.

OP posts:
Original poster
readingcat · 03/02/2023 19:20

@Swimswam that’s a good suggestion. I will talk through the issues with DC, for sure, though I bet I cop it for being the awkward squad when all her friends are in the lesson!

OP posts:
Whatsnewpussyhat · 03/02/2023 19:25

Could you speak to the headteacher?
They are supposed to teach facts, not indoctrinate in biased political ideologies.

Thelnebriati · 03/02/2023 19:27

Contact Safe Schools Alliance;
safeschoolsallianceuk.net/

The Govt has published guidelines for schools and parents, they are not supposed to get their resources from randoms online.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-sex-and-health-education-guides-for-schools

TheGreatATuin · 03/02/2023 19:28

Honestly, I wouldn't, although I'd definitely let the school know exactly what my objections are.
It's unlikely that this'll be the only time that your DC will be exposed to this stuff. I think it's far better to just chat about it before hand, encourage some critical thinking and make sure there's a dialogue.
I do this a lot with my DS. We argue debate issues all the time.

Original poster
readingcat · 03/02/2023 19:29

Thank you - that is v helpful. I will definitely point out the highly politicised nature of the materials involved and the lack of representation of GC views.

OP posts:
ResisterRex · 03/02/2023 19:31

Year 6 is primary, right? Yes I think you can:

www.gov.uk/guidance/plan-your-relationships-sex-and-health-curriculum#right-to-request-withdrawal

cansu · 03/02/2023 19:35

Why not simply ask the school to include a GC perspective? You can also discuss the issues with your dc at home. It is certain that they will come across these views in the future.

MrsOvertonsWindow · 03/02/2023 19:35

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nilsmousehammer · 03/02/2023 19:38

I'd pull mine out and be clear about why. If they want to take me to court I will be delighted to explain to the judge in detail that I'm not up for religious/political indoctrination of a child on highly contentious if not dodgy ideology. And that I view this as a massive failure of the school in terms of the position of trust they are in.

Thelnebriati · 03/02/2023 19:38

The problem is not a lack of balance, its that they are promoting an ideology that is contrary to the purpose of the lesson. There aren't any GC views that can be uses to 'balance' statements such as ''it’s wrong to only offer male & female as categories'', because that is a biological fact. They aren't supposed to confuse children.

Another issue is that removing sex categories or blurring their boundaries ends up with discrimination against one of the categories. So they aren't supposed to suggest that, because they aren't supposed to promote discrimination.

SinnerBoy · 03/02/2023 19:42

verbithien (spelling) has a thread with an awful lot of advice, here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4733278-sex-not-gender-no-outsiders-changing-the-equality-act-depheaddsl-captured?page=1

Good luck!

Original poster
readingcat · 03/02/2023 19:47

Thanks very much, everyone - excellent input. I will report back on how I got on.

OP posts:
SinnerBoy · 03/02/2023 19:49

Bated breath etc!

Cocobutt · 03/02/2023 20:06

You can pull your child out of it but I personally wouldn’t.

I always think that they’re going to hear it from their friends anyway and pulling them out is going to isolate them.

A better option would be to ask for the resources and give your children your opinion on it and how to have an open mind but know that there are alternative views.

YouJustDoYou · 03/02/2023 20:07

Thelnebriati · 03/02/2023 19:38

The problem is not a lack of balance, its that they are promoting an ideology that is contrary to the purpose of the lesson. There aren't any GC views that can be uses to 'balance' statements such as ''it’s wrong to only offer male & female as categories'', because that is a biological fact. They aren't supposed to confuse children.

Another issue is that removing sex categories or blurring their boundaries ends up with discrimination against one of the categories. So they aren't supposed to suggest that, because they aren't supposed to promote discrimination.

Exactly.

Original poster
readingcat · 03/02/2023 21:22

Helen Joyce is fantastic - and she’s right, we all need to speak out about this. Am ideology lacking any basis in reality and driven by regressive stereotypes and, frequently, misogyny has penetrated education to a truly dystopian degree.

OP posts:
Original poster
readingcat · 07/02/2023 22:13

Update for anyone interested: I wrote to the school about the lesson and laid out a series of concerns that were evidence-based and reasonable. They agreed to pull the lesson pending a team meeting to consider my points and discuss policy in this area. Result.

OP posts:
pattihews · 07/02/2023 22:17

cansu · 03/02/2023 19:35

Why not simply ask the school to include a GC perspective? You can also discuss the issues with your dc at home. It is certain that they will come across these views in the future.

Because not teaching them lies and crap in the first place would be preferable to having to undo whatever damage they cause.

Johnnysgirl · 07/02/2023 22:19

readingcat · 07/02/2023 22:13

Update for anyone interested: I wrote to the school about the lesson and laid out a series of concerns that were evidence-based and reasonable. They agreed to pull the lesson pending a team meeting to consider my points and discuss policy in this area. Result.

👍

arethereanyleftatall · 07/02/2023 22:20

Fantastic news op. This is what we all need to do. All of the time. 1 year ago I said to my friends in a restaurant that men couldn't be women. They were mortified and looked about to check no one heard. Things have moved on so much since then. I say it loud and proud now. So do they. I have an adult human female tshirt. The more people who speak, it will snowball, and already is.
I think almost everyone who believes in gender ideology is one of two things - the narcissists themselves, or they just haven't thought it through properly yet.