In its article entitled "The battle over Boo Radley", The Globe and Mail discusses whether or not parents should be allowed to decide what their kids read in school. Interestingly enough, one of those who believes that parents shouldn't be allowed to exempt their children from controversial books, happens to be the co-chair of the local Catholic Parent Network. Here's how she explains her position: Murielle Boudreau, co-chair of the Greater Toronto Catholic Parent Network, said that exposing children to controversial books gives parents an opportunity to discuss important issues at home.“If it's out there, in my opinion it's better to expose the child and explain whatever it is, rather than not to expose them,” she said. “… If you really have objections you should do home schooling.”(Source) For a detailed review of the article, check out the The Politics of the Cross Resurrected blog. Myself, I have only one question: Would Ms. Boudreau have the same opinion, if the controversial material was, let's say, a pro-life display?
Usually, that's their main argument - pictures of unborn babies shouldn't be allowed, because they could be seen by the children and then parents would have to explain what abortion is. And, to make sure that kids never raise the controversial question at home, (until their "sex ed" teachers explain them that abortion is a cool way to make sex safer and that it's every girl's Charter-given right,) everything that mentions life in the womb is considered controversial. Including plain text signs "abortion kills children".
But, if exposing children to controversial material means an opportunity for the parents to discuss the subject and to present their point of view - then how about exposing high-school students to information that life begins at conception, so that they could discuss fetal rights with their parents? Let's start with the Watch Me Grow brochure, which, so far, has been deemed either "too controversial" or "too politicized" to be distributed in high schools. I wonder if Ms. Boudreau, as well as all those who believe that there's nothing wrong with exposing students to controversial literature despite their parents' wishes, will welcome this lovely brochure about fetal development in the public school libraries.
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