I have strongly ambiguous feelings about the idea of ‘my kids; my say-so’. On one hand, I want the freedom to provide the children in my care with different input than the status quo (for instance; allowing them to opt out of saying the pledge of allegiance if they don’t want to). But on the other hand, I also think children are autonomous human beings and society does have a responsibility to temper whatever kids are getting at home. Like you can’t forbid your daughters from going to school, even if you have strong religious convictions against females being outside the home. My gut instinct is that sex-ed (by adults bureaucrats who are always, always going to be way more milquetoast than what kids hear around from each other) is more along the lines of guaranteeing them an education even when their families may not want that. FWIW I’m an elementary teacher and coparent of a (nearly) 13 year old.
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