NY Times blasted for defending 'pornography literacy' for first graders: 'These people are sick

Concerned parents and media critics swatted the New York Times on Thursday after the newspaper heralded Justine Ang Fonte, a New York teacher who recently became infamous for her sexual education curriculum for children and young adults, as a "sex-positive educator," and called her lessons "pornography literacy."

https://www.foxnews.com/media/ny-times-b...e-are-sick

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I read the article in the NYTimes. They weren't expressing an opinion. It was a news article. There's no reason to "blast" them for reporting something that happened.

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I read the article in the NYTimes.   They weren't expressing an opinion.   It was a news article.   There's no reason to "blast" them for reporting something that happened.

It is a slanted piece portraying the sex educator in a positive light, and the parents in a negative light.  It cites "multiple sex educators" (anonymous) as saying "nothing inappropriate" about the curriculum -- an unsourced value judgment (not news).

You ought to be more discriminating in seeing the worldview behind an article even if it if is labeled as news.

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It's just like every article about the vaccine.

It portrays the vaccine as the thing that will cure the world and anyone that doesn't get it as evil.

That's not news.. that's opinion pieces. I'm not saying anything about the vaccine for others; get it if you want it - but the slant on every article is astounding.

The amount of times an OPED gets treated as actual, factual news is infuriating.

The news and journalists used to report facts and let the reader/viewer decide on opinion. That day has long since passed.

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I read the article in the NYTimes.   They weren't expressing an opinion.   It was a news article.   There's no reason to "blast" them for reporting something that happened.

It is a slanted piece portraying the sex educator in a positive light, and the parents in a negative light.  It cites "multiple sex educators" (anonymous) as saying "nothing inappropriate" about the curriculum -- an unsourced value judgment (not news).

You ought to be more discriminating in seeing the worldview behind an article even if it if is labeled as news.

I do see the world view behind any news article.   It doesn't bother me.  I sympathize with the parents.

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I read the article in the NYTimes.   They weren't expressing an opinion.   It was a news article.   There's no reason to "blast" them for reporting something that happened.

The thing is, do you think that this is appropriate?

From the article.

The material for her first-grade class never used the term “masturbation,” Ms. Fonte said recently. The lesson was about private parts being private and included a cartoon in which two characters use anatomically correct names for their genitals and say that sometimes it feels good to touch them. “It’s OK to touch yourself and see how different body parts feel, but it’s best to only do it in private,” the narrator tells viewers.

The W.H.O. guidelines state that between the ages of 5 and 8, children should learn to “identify the critical parts of the internal and external genitals and describe their basic function” and “recognize that being curious about one’s body, including the genitals, is completely normal.”

Exactly how "basic" of "function" needs to be shown or taught to children between the ages of 5 and 8 regarding those parts of the body?  What exactly defines the "critical parts" of the internal and external genitals of a child between the ages of 5 and 8?

The other part of the problem is that now many current public schools indoctrination centers are teaching children this young that it's "OK to be gay" or to "change what you have".

In my opinion it is disgusting to be exposing children that young to these ideas and pretty much amounts to child abuse.

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There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

I read the article in the NYTimes.   They weren't expressing an opinion.   It was a news article.   There's no reason to "blast" them for reporting something that happened.

The thing is, do you think that this is appropriate?

From the article.

The material for her first-grade class never used the term “masturbation,” Ms. Fonte said recently. The lesson was about private parts being private and included a cartoon in which two characters use anatomically correct names for their genitals and say that sometimes it feels good to touch them. “It’s OK to touch yourself and see how different body parts feel, but it’s best to only do it in private,” the narrator tells viewers.

The W.H.O. guidelines state that between the ages of 5 and 8, children should learn to “identify the critical parts of the internal and external genitals and describe their basic function” and “recognize that being curious about one’s body, including the genitals, is completely normal.”

Exactly how "basic" of "function" needs to be shown or taught to children between the ages of 5 and 8 regarding those parts of the body?  What exactly defines the "critical parts" of the internal and external genitals of a child between the ages of 5 and 8?

The other part of the problem is that now many current public schools indoctrination centers are teaching children this young that it's "OK to be gay" or to "change what you have".

In my opinion it is disgusting to be exposing children that young to these ideas and pretty much amounts to child abuse.

The second paragraph is a flat out lie. I teach in an elementary school and have never heard anything you are describing.

So to say “many schools” is a lie.

In my county, the earliest a student begins to learn about the reproductive system is 5TH grade (11 years old). And even then, parents have the option to opt out if they so choose to.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GATjQe_Ae3M

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The thing is, do you think that this is appropriate?

From the article.

Exactly how "basic" of "function" needs to be shown or taught to children between the ages of 5 and 8 regarding those parts of the body?  What exactly defines the "critical parts" of the internal and external genitals of a child between the ages of 5 and 8?

The other part of the problem is that now many current public schools indoctrination centers are teaching children this young that it's "OK to be gay" or to "change what you have".

In my opinion it is disgusting to be exposing children that young to these ideas and pretty much amounts to child abuse.

The second paragraph is a flat out lie. I teach in an elementary school and have never heard anything you are describing.

So to say “many schools” is a lie.

In my county, the earliest a student begins to learn about the reproductive system is 5TH grade (11 years old). And even then, parents have the option to opt out if they so choose to.

What is a "flat out lie" in what I stated?

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There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

The second paragraph is a flat out lie. I teach in an elementary school and have never heard anything you are describing.

So to say “many schools” is a lie.

In my county, the earliest a student begins to learn about the reproductive system is 5TH grade (11 years old). And even then, parents have the option to opt out if they so choose to.

What is a "flat out lie" in what I stated?

You stated that many schools are teaching kids that’s it’s OK to be gay or to “change what they have”. Which isn’t true. 

Many schools aren’t teaching that. Do you have an exact number?

I’ve been teaching for 14 years and have never once heard either of those things being taught. In fact, when I teach the family life portion, I answer many questions with “ask a trusted adult at home” because it’s not my place to answer some of those questions. I teach reproductive anatomy and that’s it. The boys and girls are separated and parents can opt out if they don’t want their child to be in those specific lessons. Good hygiene is also taught.  

Now are there a few teachers preaching their own personal beliefs? Sure. Just like there a few bad apples at every job, there are a few bad teachers. However the majority of teachers I have worked with are encouraging, smart, thoughtful and do their best to help every kid learn.

So your statement (which was made without actual facts but instead feelings), is false.

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What is a "flat out lie" in what I stated?

You stated that many schools are teaching kids that’s it’s OK to be gay or to “change what they have”. Which isn’t true. 

Many schools aren’t teaching that. Do you have an exact number?

I’ve been teaching for 14 years and have never once heard either of those things being taught. In fact, when I teach the family life portion, I answer many questions with “ask a trusted adult at home” because it’s not my place to answer some of those questions. I teach reproductive anatomy and that’s it. The boys and girls are separated and parents can opt out if they don’t want their child to be in those specific lessons. Good hygiene is also taught.  

Now are there a few teachers preaching their own personal beliefs? Sure. Just like there a few bad apples at every job, there are a few bad teachers. However the majority of teachers I have worked with are encouraging, smart, thoughtful and do their best to help every kid learn.

So your statement (which was made without actual facts but instead feelings), is false.

It's good to know from you.  We need teachers like you.

I don't have any numbers for kids being "taught" about being gay or the possibility of being transgender, and I'm too lazy to look up some of the articles that I saw about that.  That stuff does happen.

You do bring up an interesting point though when you said that "parents can opt out if they don’t want their child to be in those specific lessons".  What grade/age are those lessons taught and are parents invited to sit in during the lesson(s)?

Also, if you were given a curriculum that included homosexuality and/or transgender stuff would you teach it?

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There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

You stated that many schools are teaching kids that’s it’s OK to be gay or to “change what they have”. Which isn’t true. 

Many schools aren’t teaching that. Do you have an exact number?

I’ve been teaching for 14 years and have never once heard either of those things being taught. In fact, when I teach the family life portion, I answer many questions with “ask a trusted adult at home” because it’s not my place to answer some of those questions. I teach reproductive anatomy and that’s it. The boys and girls are separated and parents can opt out if they don’t want their child to be in those specific lessons. Good hygiene is also taught.  

Now are there a few teachers preaching their own personal beliefs? Sure. Just like there a few bad apples at every job, there are a few bad teachers. However the majority of teachers I have worked with are encouraging, smart, thoughtful and do their best to help every kid learn.

So your statement (which was made without actual facts but instead feelings), is false.

It's good to know from you.  We need teachers like you.

I don't have any numbers for kids being "taught" about being gay or the possibility of being transgender, and I'm too lazy to look up some of the articles that I saw about that.  That stuff does happen.

You do bring up an interesting point though when you said that "parents can opt out if they don’t want their child to be in those specific lessons".  What grade/age are those lessons taught and are parents invited to sit in during the lesson(s)?

Also, if you were given a curriculum that included homosexuality and/or transgender stuff would you teach it?

Only kids in 5TH grade (age 11) are taught these 4 lessons and they typically happen in May. We have a parent information night in March that goes over every single piece of information taught during those 4 lessons.

Parents can sit in during the live lessons but typically don’t because they come to the session before hand.

I highly doubt there will be lessons about homosexuality because those specific topics are ones that I can’t answer. We talk strictly about the anatomy of males and females in separate rooms.

I don’t disagree that there are teachers out there that preach their views. However, there are so many more teachers like me out there who just wanna do right by these kids.

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Kids in NYC have been taught by that woman. Look her up. She's a vile piece of filth. Right up there next to a pedo.

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I read the article in the NYTimes.   They weren't expressing an opinion.   It was a news article.   There's no reason to "blast" them for reporting something that happened.

The thing is, do you think that this is appropriate?

From the article.

The material for her first-grade class never used the term “masturbation,” Ms. Fonte said recently. The lesson was about private parts being private and included a cartoon in which two characters use anatomically correct names for their genitals and say that sometimes it feels good to touch them. “It’s OK to touch yourself and see how different body parts feel, but it’s best to only do it in private,” the narrator tells viewers.

The W.H.O. guidelines state that between the ages of 5 and 8, children should learn to “identify the critical parts of the internal and external genitals and describe their basic function” and “recognize that being curious about one’s body, including the genitals, is completely normal.”

Exactly how "basic" of "function" needs to be shown or taught to children between the ages of 5 and 8 regarding those parts of the body?  What exactly defines the "critical parts" of the internal and external genitals of a child between the ages of 5 and 8?

The other part of the problem is that now many current public schools indoctrination centers are teaching children this young that it's "OK to be gay" or to "change what you have".

In my opinion it is disgusting to be exposing children that young to these ideas and pretty much amounts to child abuse.

I'm not defending the teacher or the teaching.  I'm defending the New York Times.  This thread started as an attack on the New York times, but all the NYTimes did was file a news report on this sex-education controversy.  

"New York Times Sinks to a New Low"... for reporting the story?  That's ridiculous.

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The thing is, do you think that this is appropriate?

From the article.

Exactly how "basic" of "function" needs to be shown or taught to children between the ages of 5 and 8 regarding those parts of the body?  What exactly defines the "critical parts" of the internal and external genitals of a child between the ages of 5 and 8?

The other part of the problem is that now many current public schools indoctrination centers are teaching children this young that it's "OK to be gay" or to "change what you have".

In my opinion it is disgusting to be exposing children that young to these ideas and pretty much amounts to child abuse.

I'm not defending the teacher or the teaching.  I'm defending the New York Times.  This thread started as an attack on the New York times, but all the NYTimes did was file a news report on this sex-education controversy.  

"New York Times Sinks to a New Low"... for reporting the story?  That's ridiculous.

Yep, you're right.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

It's good to know from you.  We need teachers like you.

I don't have any numbers for kids being "taught" about being gay or the possibility of being transgender, and I'm too lazy to look up some of the articles that I saw about that.  That stuff does happen.

You do bring up an interesting point though when you said that "parents can opt out if they don’t want their child to be in those specific lessons".  What grade/age are those lessons taught and are parents invited to sit in during the lesson(s)?

Also, if you were given a curriculum that included homosexuality and/or transgender stuff would you teach it?

Only kids in 5TH grade (age 11) are taught these 4 lessons and they typically happen in May. We have a parent information night in March that goes over every single piece of information taught during those 4 lessons.

Parents can sit in during the live lessons but typically don’t because they come to the session before hand.

I highly doubt there will be lessons about homosexuality because those specific topics are ones that I can’t answer. We talk strictly about the anatomy of males and females in separate rooms.

I don’t disagree that there are teachers out there that preach their views. However, there are so many more teachers like me out there who just wanna do right by these kids.

I highly respect teachers like you.  I agree that talking strictly about the anatomy is the proper thing to do.  If I remember right, we got that lesson in a way earlier grade (I'm thinking around 3rd grade).  Those kind of lessons are important and in my opinion more so for the girls than the boys.  Boys basically only have to learn about "growing hair in places" whereas girls have to learn about "bleeding in places" along with "growing hair in places".

I think that it's sad that parents don't "find the time" to sit in on those lessons with their children.  It's an important time of their (the child's) life, that being puberty.

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There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

May I ask what district or county you teach Mr C. Wood?

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May I ask what district or county you teach Mr C. Wood?

Sure thing.

Montgomery County in Maryland. I’m a PE teacher so myself and another male teacher take the boys while my wife (she teachers 5TH grade at the same school) and another female teacher take the girls.

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May I ask what district or county you teach Mr C. Wood?

Sure thing.

Montgomery County in Maryland. I’m a PE teacher so myself and another male teacher take the boys while my wife (she teachers 5TH grade at the same school) and another female teacher take the girls.

I appreciate the reply.  I didn’t know if you were in FL or not.  I was curious more so on the “local” aspect.  

For the life of me, I just don’t remember learning that stuff at that age. At least from school.  If I had to guess it was 6-8th grade.  And I don’t recall them delving that deep into it.  Jokes on them, we already knew. And I was eyeing up ms Morris and Novack.  Crazy to think we’re teaching kids this at that age. Apparently younger than I thought too.

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I was a teacher, too, and it would be foolish to apply my limited experience in a school district to all of the schools nationwide. I've taught in 3 different states, 4 different school districts, and 8 different schools. Each is different. There are definitely schools teaching the things claimed by JIB... especially on the West Coast. I have read several articles discussing this vary topic, and a quick search supports this: California Board of Education Revamps Sex-Ed. 

While I can certainly get behind Cleatwood"s argument that this is not a national phenomenon, I think we are ultimately splitting hairs on the word, "many." There are "many" schools on the west coast that will be teaching gender identity to kindergarteners. It's not a majority, but there are far too many schools getting into the business of teaching sexuality to children. This varies by state and county, but it's not a trend that I'd like to see replicated, I and support parent pushback against it.

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