Current protests in Canada are are striving to pit parental rights against LGBTQ+ rights.
NPD leader Jagmeet Singh offered this succinct comment on the situation (from the CBC):
"We want parents involved. I think it's a bit of a red herring argument. There's no question that parents should be involved in everything that their kids are engaged with at school, that parents should be incorporated," he said.
"It's also important to acknowledge that for some kids, home is not always a safe place."
@sumpnlikefaith He is right; but, I want more information. Parents argue that schools have gone well beyond "safe space" into areas (if what I've being told is true) that are inappropriate for minors. Schools have had a tendency to push beyond their authority in other areas in the past. Is that what is happening? I'm confused.
@smittycanada1 Admitting confusion is a brave step! I wish more people would do it.
Instigators on the right are filling a lot of people's confusion with paranoia and conspiracy theories, presented as fact.
In short, almost none of what they are worried about is happening. There are red herrings everywhere.
All the reading material I've seen personally is age-appropriate; helping the broader project of inclusivity & safety for all. Parents arguing against that end up arguing for prejudice.
@sumpnlikefaith I've been advised there is no curriculum in place. It is up to individual teacher. Parents are taking issue with some of what is being taught as biased and inappropriate. Teachers have a tough job balancing student needs vs curriculum. They are not psychologists or counselors. Maybe the classroom isn't the appropriate place for such discussions given the heightened sensitivity? Perhaps, someone specializing in this area needs to be on staff with guidelines to bridge the need?