A shocking revelation emerged recently when a mother from Utah uncovered an outdated high school assignment that required her 11th-grade child to go on a date with a member of the opposite sex. It’s hard to believe that in today’s world, students are still being assigned tasks that reflect such antiquated gender norms.
The assignment, part of the mandatory Adult Roles and Financial Literacy course at Highland High School in Salt Lake City, demanded students to partake in a date while adhering to a list of concerning instructions. The mother, Kate Martinez, took to social media to express her disbelief. “My 11th-grade AP honors student’s homework: ‘go on a date!’ With a boy. And follow his suggestions—don’t correct his personal habits, don’t waste his money, and show him respect,” she wrote. “Thanks for this evidence-based misogyny, Utah Department of Education.”
Some of the directives included “Eat the food you order,” “If you think you’re too big, keep it to yourself,” and “Be feminine and lady-like.” One has to wonder whether this assignment was drafted in the 1940s. The boys’ guidelines weren’t much better either, suggesting they refrain from complaining about expenses and advising what their date should order to make it easier for her. This entire project seems to be one enormous stereotype.
While teaching students about managing finances on a date could be a useful lesson, mandating that they go on a date as part of their grade is simply inappropriate. The heteronormative expectations could be alienating for LGBTQ students or those exploring their identities.
Fortunately, the Utah Board of Education has recognized the issue. Mark Peterson, a spokesperson for the Board, confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune that the assignment would be removed from the curriculum database following the complaints. Teachers can upload their materials to a shared database, but it’s uncertain how this particular assignment made it through. Regardless, it’s now out of circulation. “They’re inappropriate,” Peterson stated, “and we’re taking them down.”
Highland High School’s principal, Greg Reynolds, explained that the teacher did not intend for the assignment to be taken literally. “She wanted it to be a light-hearted lesson in social norms,” he said. However, student Jenna Martinez, Kate’s daughter, felt differently, insisting that it was presented as mandatory. “She never said it could be with a friend,” Jenna argued.
Miscommunication aside, Principal Reynolds acknowledged the assignment’s flaws. “There’s no doubt that there is gender bias in the assignment,” he said. “Some elements are quite archaic and clearly need to be revised or removed altogether.”
While this assignment clearly shouldn’t have been distributed in the first place, a school willing to adapt to contemporary social values deserves commendation. For more insights on modern parenting challenges, check out this related post.
In conclusion, it’s vital for educational institutions to reflect current societal norms and foster inclusivity among their students. This incident serves as a reminder that we still have work to do in evolving our educational practices.