Most people are not aware that children are subject to sexualization in school. Had they known, it certainly would not be able to continue. Informing others then becomes an effective way to protect children. One way to do this is to send letters or emails to school staff, journalists or politicians.
Emotionally, it becomes easy to want to be very clear about what you think about this. When choosing how you express yourself, keep in mind that it will be easier to stop sexualization if you and other parents get the school staff on your side. It is often an advantage, at least initially, to be less confrontational and instead seek dialogue.
The texts below are examples of such letters or emails. Customize the text to suit your situation.
Questions to school management
Dear
Regarding the changed curricula that came in the fall of 2022, we have some questions.
On the Swedish National Agency for Education’s website we can read that the new formulation of sex education is “sexuality, consent and relationships”. As we understand it, sex education will now apply to all pupils; in preschool classes, primary and secondary school, in leisure time and school health.
We understand that teaching now consists of three parts: Subject integration and interdisciplinary work. Everyday work—catching the issue in flight. Individual lessons or theme days. If we understood correctly, sex education now takes up much more space in schools.
As the school has been sparse with information about the change, we want answers to our questions. We want a good understanding and insight into the content of the new sex education and how it will be implemented.
Sex education seems to be based on the fact that children are sexual beings and that the school has the task of preparing children for a future pleasurable sexual life.
1) Is this a mindset that the school wants from school staff?
2) Do all teachers have sufficient competence in the field of sex education? If not, how do you deal with it?
3) We parents would like an overview of the literature and materials planned to be used in the lessons. We would like to receive a bibliography.
4) In which subjects will sex education be integrated? What instructions does the school give to the subject teachers regarding the implementation of sex education?
5) Will there be less time for other subjects when sex education takes up more space? How is this handled? Have the course objectives for the other subjects been adjusted down?
6) How should school staff work with sex education in their daily work? On what occasions should they catch the issue on the fly?
7) What individual lessons and theme days does the school intend to organize? Will practical exercises be included? We would like a description of the content.
8) Does the school plan to use external actors to carry out any part of sex education or sex education? If so, who are the actors and how often are they invited?
The material relied on by the National Agency for Education warns of the risks of the new sex education. It says that pupils have felt vulnerable and exposed when the most intimate matters are discussed in school. It has become particularly embarrassing and uncomfortable when sex education is carried out in mixed classes.
9) How do schools deal with situations where children are offended by sex education and how do they ensure that children’s integrity is always respected?
10) According to the law, children can never consent to sexual acts. Does the school see any risks in teaching children how to withhold or give consent to sexual acts?
11) If we as parents do not want our child to participate in integrated sex education, can the school make a note and notify teachers so that our child does not participate?
We suggest that the school invites all parents to an information session, with transparency about the changes in the new sex education. It is in the interests of both parents and the school to find out what the new curriculum means.
We gratefully accept a confirmation that you have received this letter.
Sincerely
Letter to school: EU adopts WHO’s new standard for sexuality education
Dear
I’m writing to you because I’m deeply concerned about parts of the new curriculum, LGR22.
I understand that sex education (Sexuality, consent and relationships) will now take a greater place in children’s education. It will be taught across subjects, starting already in preschool class. The change seems to be happening in the same way as in other European countries when the European Union introduces the WHO’s standard for sex education.
The standard states that the school should encourage pre-schoolers to masturbation and that children should feel pleasure when they touch their own body. Our children are seen as sexual beings from birth and therefore the school must start sex education as early as possible, it is reasoned.
From what I understand, few educators and even fewer parents are aware of the WHO’s standard for sexuality education and that the latest changes in the curriculum are further steps towards the standard being realized in Sweden.
I do not believe that the staff in schools and preschools want to support this sexualisation and I encourage all school staff to inform themselves on this issue. For example, you can read about how the Government has given the Public Health Agency of Sweden (FHM) the task of developing an action plan for how they, together with the Swedish National Agency for Education, the Swedish Schools Inspectorate and RFSU, will introduce WHO’s radical sexuality education in our schools: https://vi-tillsammans.nu/trygg-i-skolan/
You can find the WHO’s standard for sex education, which the government has now asked FHM to introduce in Sweden, here: https://www.bzga-whocc.de/fileadmin/user_upload/BZgA_Standards_English.pdf. Start on page 38 and ask yourself if you want to contribute to that school and preschool staff teach children about what is described there.
I want the school to clearly distance itself from this type of sex education. It is appropriate that we bring this up and discuss this at the next parent meeting.
Please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Letter to opinion leaders: Authorities sexualize schoolchildren
Dear
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Swedish authorities are engaged in, in our view, a radical sexual and social agenda in preschool and primary school.
The Swedish National Agency for Education came up with a new curriculum in 2022. Sex education is no longer a few lessons in 8th-grade, as we over thirty remember it. It is now taught interdisciplinary in most subjects already starting in preschool class. The change is happening in the same way as in other European countries when the EU implements the WHO’s standard for sex education.
The standard states that the school should encourage pre-schoolers to masturbation and that children should feel pleasure when they touch their own body. They see our children as sexual beings from birth and that is why the school must start sex education as early as possible, they reason.
Read about how the Government has given the Public Health Agency of Sweden the task of developing an action plan for how they, together with the Swedish National Agency for Education, the Swedish Schools Inspectorate and RFSU, will introduce WHO’s radical sexuality education in Sweden: https://vi-tillsammans.nu/trygg-i-skolan/
You can find the WHO’s standard for sex education, which the government has now asked FHM to implement in Sweden, here: https://www.bzga-whocc.de/fileadmin/user_upload/BZgA_Standards_English.pdf. Start on page 38 and ask yourself if we want school and preschool staff to teach children about what is described there.
Although we know better, children are increasingly exposed to adult sexuality, not only by perpetrators, via pornography and social media, but now also in classrooms.
You are welcome to contact me if you also want to protect children from sexualization.
Sincerely,
