Male genitalia drawings in school
@sunnypub (2128)
United States
January 27, 2007 3:53pm CST
I read a news story about a teacher who got reassigned and will most likely be fired after having his seventh-grade students draw male genitalia on the blackboard during health class.
The state's seventh-grade curriculum calls for lessons in human anatomy and sexuality and the teacher thought this was appropriate but the school board and many parents disagreed stating that "as a teacher you have to be sensitive and you have to look at the age-appropriateness of any activity that you ask a child to do. And this was just not appropriate."
What are your thoughts on this subject? What would you do if your child was in this class?
2 people like this
6 responses
@pirtlems (245)
• United States
28 Jan 07
i think the teacher made a wrong call on that one.i can see
showing an approved health film on the subject.or better yet divide the class and hav a women show the film tothe girls and a man showing one to the boys. but black board drawings are a little crude.
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
19 Feb 07
Good intentions, bad execution you could say. I mean the kids are going to learn about this anyways. I would be curious to know how many of the students could actaully draw the picture. I mean, the parents are mad at the teacher, but I bet the majority of the students didn't think anything of it, because they already knew what it looked like. Thanks for responding.
@Rosepetal (352)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I think the teacher's intentions were good. Maybe the teacher felt that by having the children draw the lesson themselves, they would remember and learn it better. I don't feel the teacher did anything so terrible. If children want to go outside to a vacant lot and spraypaint genitalia on a brick wall, they'll do it and create graffiti. At least if it's done in the classroom in a constructive way, it sends a message that it's not something dirty or vulgar, and maybe something worth learning about in a mature and intellent way.
2 people like this
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I too agree that the teacher had good intentions. I feel that the school boards and many parents fall into the out of signt out of mind category, and maybe think if they don't let children know what things look like then it means he children are innocent. Well I would say by 7th grad the innocence is gone for most kids. Thanks for responding.
@smacksman (6053)
•
27 Jan 07
How silly.
It would be different if he had fished his tackle out and got the students to trace round it.
Really, how can you conduct a class on that subject without seeing what you are talking about.
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
19 Feb 07
Fished his tackle out.....LOL that is funny. I guess people are okay with scientifically approved drawings but not the ones of the children. Go Figure. Thanks for responding.
@ukchriss (2097)
•
31 Jan 07
Thats just daft! Kids have to learn these things, I would have thought it was all part of human anatomy and sexuality, If it isnt then what is it classed as? I would support the teacher.
I can remember when my kids were at school they were all given comdoms and bananas to put them on, some parents complained but most thought it was a very good idea.
Whats the good of telling kids to use them if they dont know how to put them on?
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I would say that most 7th graders already know this stuff, so what is the big deal. As long as the lesson that went along with the drawings was a good one, then I don't see the harm. My daughter is only 8 in 3rd grade and I can tell you that she could already draw that if asked too. Not because of anything she learned at school or from other kids but because as parents, my husband and I have already gone over such things with her. thanks for responding.
@mzbubblie (3839)
• United States
2 Feb 07
I think the teach really didn't mean any harm. However, just to cover his but being some parents may disapprove...Possibly do what they do in all schools send a letter home there may be drawings...
Sometimes as simple as it sounds, it's probably would of been better than all this...
1 person likes this
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I think you are right. Maybe the teach should have sent home a letter explainging the upcoming lesson and allowed the parents to decide if they wanted their children to attend. I bet many of the paresnt who are complaining, wouldn't complain if they had some warning. Thanks for responding.
@somnolence (460)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I think you can conduct a health class without asking students to draw genitalia in front of the rest of the class. This sounds very inappropriate to me.
1 person likes this
