OPINION:
Kindergarten is far too early for children to be exposed to those kinds of concepts (“’Too much, too soon?’ California slammed for kindergarten gender identity talks in sex education,” Web, May 9). Although supporters argue that “the goal is not to cause confusion about the gender of the child but to develop an awareness that other expressions exist,” I don’t think it’s possible to convey those kind of topics to 5-year-olds clearly. Children of that age struggle to comprehend the concept of sharing, so there is no way they can be expected to understand the complexities of sexual orientation, especially when none of them has even experienced romantic attraction.
Although parents and conservative groups argue that these kinds of topics should be taught at home, I do believe that it is partially the school’s responsibility to educate students about sexual identity. Without schools teaching these kinds of subjects, some adolescents may not even know how to practice safe sex, or that there are different sexual orientations. However, like sex ed, it should be taught at a much later age, when students can actually comprehend what they’re learning instead of just parroting back concepts they’re too young to understand.
TYLER NIIYAMA
Santa Clara, Calif.
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