Special Needs Children and The Politically Correct

On February 16, 1998, about 75 people demonstrated outside the Durham School Board offices in Oshawa, Ontario protesting the Life Facts Sexuality program for "special needs" students. The demonstrators' concern was that this program, through its graphic visual aids and controversial resource information, promoted what can only be termed "recreational sex".

Special needs students are young people of high school age who are often seriously limited in understanding and emotional maturity. Through the Life Facts program (which has now been in use for eight years by the Durham Board), they are given specific instructions on how to masturbate, have intercourse, use condoms, etc. The rationale for providing this information is that because of their limited intellectual capacities, these youngsters are at risk of being sexually abused and therefore, must be given information about sexuality which is not provided to the general school population. In actual fact, however, the program does not warn them about the dangers or inappropriateness of early sexual activity, but works on the assumption that everyone, including teenagers, is expected to "express" his or her sexuality. The following statement is taken directly from the teacher's handbook:

Mentally handicapped teens are often quite limited in choosing methods and modes of sexual expression. Homosexual relationships may be the only available avenue of expression.

Homosexuality is described as a romantic relationship, and the dangers involved in the homosexual lifestyle are all but ignored. Interestingly, the most controversial of the posters, depicting two naked men in bed together, was not included in the material received through the Freedom of Information Act. The excuse given was that this particular item had been included in the Life Facts Sexuality kit in error, and therefore, could not be considered as part of the kit, despite its having been included for the previous eight years!

The Durham Board has been adamant in claiming that the program is necessary and that all the parents have approved of the material. The news media indicated that it is parents who have the final say and that anyone else who complains is out of line. It is apparent, however, that while the parents were asked to attend a meeting to discuss the program and to provide written authorization, many of them did not review the program in-depth but simply relied on the teachers to guide their children. As a matter of fact, one parent has confirmed that she had no idea what was being taught, and did not ever give authorization for her child to be exposed to such explicit material.

On March 2nd, there were presentations made to the school board, two for the program and two against. Carol Switzer and Barb Laing (both members of Durham REAL Women) outlined concerns and presented options to the Life Facts Sexuality program, while United Church Minister Merv Russell and two members of the school committee responsible for the "special needs" curriculum made a joint presentation defending the program.

Reverend Russell made it very clear that he considered the Family Action Council, which is spearheading the fight against the program, to be a group of religious-right, bigoted people with a dangerous agenda. He also confirmed that he considered homosexuality to be normal (he is a member of the local AIDS committee). One Board trustee insisted on making a speech, even though she was supposed to be simply asking a question. She implied that those opposed to the program were all "creationists" just itching to control the school curriculum.

It is interesting to note that the newspaper coverage, which was initially very antagonistic toward the protestors, has moderated somewhat, no doubt due to the articulate, common-sense presentations made by Carol and Barb.

This matter is currently under review by the school board. It is hoped that the Life Facts Sexuality program will be re-directed to the garbage can where it belongs.

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