Entry 1; In the Name of Safety: Why American Parents are Opting Out of Public Schools
Choosing Homeschooling: One Mother’s Journey to Protect Her Children from School Policies
This past year I have been reading more and more news reports/articles about everything going on in US’s schools and the more I read, the more afraid I felt. I have two young children and I didn't want them to become the main characters of a news report about another incident of children being harmed as a result of Biden’s new equality policy. The policy is not of equality but rather indoctrination, letting men into girls' bathrooms and cabins is not equality! it is knowingly putting those little girls at risk; it is giving predators the opportunity to harm children without consequences. I didn’t want my little girl to suffer through something like that. I didn't want to send my children to school and then spend all day in fear for their safety, I didn't want to teach my children to distrust and fear the very people who are supposed to protect them and teach them. So, I, like many other terrified American mothers decided that the best decision I can make for my children is to pull them out of school and homeschool them. To many readers reading those news reports perhaps they are only stories but to me and to countless American mothers they are not just stories, they are a representation to what could happen to our children if we don’t take appropriate actions NOW. I wish to share my story with others in hopes that they will realize that they are not alone in this, that despite what the “woke” liberals call us we are not bigots, we are simply mothers looking out for our children.
Radical Gender Ideology in US Schools: A Growing Concern
In recent years, the introduction of radical gender ideology in U.S. schools has sparked widespread debate and concern among parents, educators, and policymakers. Proponents argue that teaching gender diversity fosters inclusivity and acceptance, while concerned parents contend that these ideologies can confuse children about their biological sex and traditional family values. The debate centers on how gender identity is taught, whether such instruction is age-appropriate, and the potential long-term effects on students’ development.
What is Radical Gender Ideology?
Radical gender ideology is an approach that challenges traditional binary views of gender, promoting the idea that gender is fluid and not strictly tied to biological sex. This ideology emphasizes that individuals should be able to self-identify their gender, regardless of their biological makeup, and that there are numerous gender identities beyond "male" and "female." While advocates claim this provides a more inclusive and accepting environment for students who do not conform to traditional gender norms, others argue that it introduces unproven and controversial concepts to young, impressionable minds.1
The Role of Schools in Gender Education
U.S. schools have become a battleground for these ideological debates. Some schools have adopted these so called “progressive” curriculums that incorporate lessons on gender identity and expression from an early age, including the use of non-binary pronouns and the acceptance of diverse gender identities. The school officials claim that these programs are introduced with the aim to promote tolerance and reduce bullying of LGBTQ+ students. However, many parents especially Muslim parents rightly feel that they were not adequately informed or consulted about these changes, leading to concerns about parental rights and the role of education in shaping children's values. The Muslim parents feel that children that young have no business being introduced to sex and sexual acts/preferences, as children's minds are not fully developed and they are impressionable. The introduction of this kind of knowledge to children could lead to indoctrination and corruption of their moral values.
The Concerns of Muslim Parents
Muslim parents are against the introduction of such radical gender ideology in schools. Muslim parents argue that such teachings can confuse young children who may not have the cognitive development to understand complex gender concepts. They worry that encouraging children to question their gender identity could lead to identity confusion or psychological distress. Additionally, they highlight concerns about the undermining of parental authority, as some schools introduce these topics without parental consent or notification.
There are also concerns about the potential for gender ideology to conflict with religious or cultural values. Muslim parents feel that gender ideology contradicts their beliefs about family structure and the natural order of creation. As a result, coalitions of concerned Muslim parents, advocacy groups, and policymakers are working to restrict or remove gender ideology from public school curriculums.
Parental and Legislative Pushback
Across the United States, there is growing parental pushback against radical gender ideology in schools. Parents are organizing at school board meetings, filing lawsuits, and advocating for legislative changes to ensure that they retain control over what their children are taught about gender and sexuality. Several states have introduced or passed bills that limit how gender identity is addressed in schools, particularly for younger children. These measures are seen as efforts to protect children from exposure to complex and potentially harmful ideas that parents feel should be addressed at home.
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Keri D. Ingraham, “How Replacing Biological Sex with Gender Identity Harms Children,” Discovery Institute. March 23, 2022. https://www.discovery.org/education/2022/03/23/how-replacing-biological-sex-with-gender-identity-harms-children/