In what can only be described as a baffling decision, the head of a small Minneapolis private school recently thought it would be a great idea to take a group of middle and high school students to a sex toy store—without seeking parental consent. The intention was to create a safe space for students to learn about human sexuality. After all, who wouldn’t want their 11-year-olds to learn about flavored lube in a place filled with vibrant dildos and bondage gear?
The Gaia Independent School, which caters to students from kindergarten through 12th grade, took about a dozen students on this memorable field trip to the Smitten Kitten adult shop. Director Jenna Sparks expressed to the Star Tribune, “What I witnessed during our visit was beautiful—students engaging openly with sex educators without shame or fear.” That’s fantastic, Jenna! But maybe checking with parents first about this “shameless and fearless” education amidst anal beads could have been prudent.
Sparks noted that the students had a designated area in the store where they could sit and learn, with “everything deemed inappropriate” off-limits. But let’s be real: just because they weren’t touching the merchandise doesn’t mean the images won’t stick in their minds.
I’m all for sex-positive education and think that learning about sexuality is crucial for teens. However, I also believe a simple permission slip would have been essential. Something like, “Hey, are you okay with your child visiting an adult store for a lesson on sex education? If so, please sign here!” The fact that this didn’t cross Sparks’ mind raises significant concerns about her decision-making.
The store’s owner clarified to the Tribune that it’s up to parents to decide when and how to engage with educators on such topics. It’s rather unusual for any school—private or public—to take students off-campus without signed consent, regardless of the destination.
One parent, Lisa Johnson, who withdrew her children from the school after learning about the trip, stated, “This is a serious breach of trust. Those images don’t just disappear.” Her 11 and 13-year-old daughters were part of this outing.
“I feel bad this was our first and likely our last field trip of this kind, especially since the kids had such a blast,” Sparks admitted. But honestly, I think the parents who trusted a school with such poor judgment likely feel worse.
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In summary, a Minneapolis school’s decision to take tweens to an adult toy store for a lesson on sexuality without parental consent has sparked outrage among parents. While the aims of sex education are noble, the execution raises concerns about judgment and trust.