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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Is peaking at school an honourable task to start?

17 replies

WorkinMumsince4ever · 27/09/2023 07:23

Good morning all,
An external company at DD’s school provided a “diversity workshop” last Monday. My DD felt uncomfortable and spent the rest of it in the bathroom.
I asked her to explain what was discussed and how it made her feel (to get a record), I felt I had enough ammunition to talk to the parents in the group chat, to see if there were more concerns.
The first one to react was a parent who is also a school governor and she was protecting the school, reactions were supportive towards her and I chose my battle and remained quiet.
Most of the children whose mothers who said they DCs found the workshop positive, were boys. Most of the group remained quiet.
I opened a separate group with parents who were curious about the subject, to discuss, and only 3 responded (inflating the statistics, my DH included 😂)
I understand most schools are going that direction, and not sure how far this will go. I’m not fond of having the school sexualising the diversity topic, nor confusing children about reality.
In the experience of others, is it worth trying to peak other parents?, has anyone have had a positive experience? How do you go about it?
Thanks and have a super Wednesday.

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WarriorN · 27/09/2023 07:32

she was protecting the school

That governor misunderstands her role ,

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WarriorN · 27/09/2023 07:34

It depends exactly what was meant by a "diversity workshop" - it's hard to say as the issue for girls is specifically one very small but very significant element of many diversity drives at the moment.

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ArabellaScott · 27/09/2023 07:51

I don't like the idea of evangelising. Other people are free to think believe and feel what they want.

Asking questions is good, though, and communicating about these things. We don't have governors in Scotland so I don't really grasp that dynamic!

I'm concerned that your DD was so uncomfortable, though. That doesn't sound positive at all. I would raise it directly with the school.

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user123212 · 27/09/2023 13:24

what did DD feel uncomfortable about exactly? bring it up with the head. why the f do schools need external companies to teach these things?!
i try to peak other parents at every chance. but never mentioning the word "trans". i was showing them the Grandad's Pride book and seeing what conclusions they come up with. i've only been successful if the parents hadn't read much into it before, but no real success if they're already chanting TWAW or the "you're born in the wrong body" because they think they are "being kind", "inclusive" (and other such buzzwords). it's harder if the parent is gender-conforming (hence never had to battle with these issues) but more successful if the parent has had experience fighting gender norms

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IWilloBeACervix · 27/09/2023 20:02

Can you ask the school for a copy of the teaching materials, so you can understand what was being taught to your daughter that made her feel so uncomfortable?

I’d definitely raise it with the school. Unfortunately, nowadays you have to be that parent. I’ve just spent this evening researching what exactly is meant when my daughter told me that she was doing the topic of ‘identity’ in English. It’s drivel, by the way, and has naff all to do with English. At least she gets to read speeches by some suffragettes.

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WorkinMumsince4ever · 27/09/2023 22:07

@WarriorN Cannot agree more, and it seems it caught her by surprise as well.

Today the school sent an email to say what was discussed (including handicaps, sexual orientation and trans). The examples mentioned in the school message did not include the example my DD gave… talking about inclusion.

The success of conversion relies on the “be kind” part. Manipulative to the bone.

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WorkinMumsince4ever · 27/09/2023 22:08

@ArabellaScott thank you. Yes indeed… and she wasn’t the only one. One of the children didn’t want to tell their parents what was discussed during the workshop. Raising that as well.

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WorkinMumsince4ever · 27/09/2023 22:16

Thank you @user123212. My DD want clear on why she became upset. Something clashed in her brain… I peaked her and now she wants a t-shirt with the definition of “girl”.
The grand parent book is a really nice introduction. Thank you for the tips… and you’re right, once indoctrinated, it’s hard to get back. I had that experience with my sister in law… luckily she lives far, far away.

Now the group has grown to 5 members. Let’s see what happens. Thinking about organising a get together with handovers… I’m not buying the grand parent book.

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WorkinMumsince4ever · 27/09/2023 22:24

@IWilloBeACervix unfortunately yes, I’m that parent. I wish I had more time to do more. Thank you for the advice, I will ask for the material + RSHE program and who is giving it. Specially who is giving it.

Not sure of the level of indoctrination in the class, however it would be so worrying if only the third of the children are not converted… conversation for another time.

I wish your daughter good luck with the paper. If she can talk about identity, she could reframe it to different periods of time, and how the identity based on sex helped humanity to survive and flourish? TBH, I think having an en-suite is the ultimate display of progress.

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PorcelinaV · 27/09/2023 22:28

So this isn't the question you asked, but...

If they told her to be nice to different people, that's fine.

If they told her anything like, "trans women are women", then I would go complain that the school is breaking the law on the duty to be politically impartial.

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redfacebigdisgrace · 27/09/2023 22:33

“Handicaps” - are you in the UK?

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MrsOvertonsWindow · 27/09/2023 23:14

Here you are OP - if you're in the UK, there's a link in this thread to an excellent article highlighting how schools are breaching safeguarding guidelines by teaching children about gender ideology according to lobby groups:

''The government needs to put safeguarding first'' - outstanding article by Stephanie Davies-Arai | Mumsnet

''The confusion over whether children have the legal right to be “affirmed” in schools by their teachers and peers is largely the result of work by tr...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4905936-the-government-needs-to-put-safeguarding-first-outstanding-article-by-stephanie-davies-arai

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Whyisegg · 28/09/2023 02:47

I'd be more concerned the school is not teaching extremely basic biology - I left school at 16 and still have a good understanding of mammals and the human reproductive system

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user123212 · 02/10/2023 11:36

WorkinMumsince4ever · 27/09/2023 22:16

Thank you @user123212. My DD want clear on why she became upset. Something clashed in her brain… I peaked her and now she wants a t-shirt with the definition of “girl”.
The grand parent book is a really nice introduction. Thank you for the tips… and you’re right, once indoctrinated, it’s hard to get back. I had that experience with my sister in law… luckily she lives far, far away.

Now the group has grown to 5 members. Let’s see what happens. Thinking about organising a get together with handovers… I’m not buying the grand parent book.

sorry for not replying earlier. i got the Grandad's Pride book from the library in the kids section 😡 going to complain to the library.

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OceanicBoundlessness · 02/10/2023 17:19

Did they use the word handicap?

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WorkinMumsince4ever · 02/10/2023 19:30

My goodness! I’m truly sorry @user123212 This is truly appalling! I hope the library stop with that none sense. I think my DDs school will go in that direction as well. They sent an email to get diversity books.

I’m writing an open letter to the head, governors and trust and sharing with staff, parents and anyone who would listen. Safeguarding first!

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WorkinMumsince4ever · 02/10/2023 19:32

@OceanicBoundlessness they used “being disabled”

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