"Taboo" books

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Home : 2002 : March : 28

"Taboo" books
By fiona

It is disturbing to read some of the replies that are clearly intolerant of different lifestyle- we don't have to understand or even agree with the family compostiton that our children come from, but as teachers, we can't
be fully open to children if we can't put our personal feelings aside or in perspective and accept them and their parent(s) as who they are- parents who may be more competant than some Beaver Cleaver type families that look great on the outside but are truly dysfunctional. I am straight, but know lesbian couples with children who are loving, caring and great role models as human beings

and productive citizens-please don't shut your minds to these and other parents who do not dit the Beaver Cleaver model- they and their children need your support and June and Ward were pretty unreal, weren't they?
On the book issue is where I part in the same manner that I part with teaching religion or politics- this is a political issue in terms of school boards, amy state laws etc.. and a religious issue for may families.. I do not have the right to introduce materials that do not uphold the curriculum of the town that has been approved by elected officials without their permission.As a parent, I expect and trust this "unwritten" code of conduct that no teacher will introduce their own political or religious issues into a public scool forum without School Committee approval. If you feel strongly that this book, or any other is imporatant to intorduce and are willing to go the distance, go through the proper channels to protect yourself and possibly to raise an issue that needs to be raised. To introduce it without this approach could work against you and the important issues you want to discuss, creating further hatred/misunderstanding and divisiveness.