In a shocking turn of events, a high school assignment from a Utah school has stirred controversy and raised eyebrows over its outdated and problematic content. A concerned mother, Laura Matthews, recently shared her disbelief when her 11th-grade daughter brought home a task from her Adult Roles and Financial Literacy class at Crestview High School, which is mandated by the state for graduation. The assignment instructed students to go on a date with a member of the opposite sex, prompting Laura to voice her concerns on social media.
“Can you believe this? My daughter’s homework is to go on a date!” she expressed. “And it has to be with a boy, no less. The guidelines suggest she should follow his lead, avoid criticizing his habits, and even show him respect.” The instructions went on to include phrases like, “Order the food you choose,” “If you feel self-conscious about your weight, keep it to yourself,” and “Act feminine.” It sounded more like it belonged in a vintage textbook than in a modern classroom.
The boys received equally outdated directives, such as “Don’t complain about the money spent” and “Make sure she knows what you’re ordering to guide her choices.” It appeared that this assignment was steeped in stereotypes rather than educational value. While the concept of teaching financial literacy and social skills is important, mandating a date as part of the grading system can be exclusionary and distressing to LGBTQ students or those questioning their sexuality.
Response from the Utah Board of Education
Fortunately, the Utah Board of Education recognized the inappropriateness of the assignment. Their spokesperson, Jamie Cross, stated that it was being removed from the curriculum in light of the complaints. The board allows teachers to upload resources to a shared database, but it’s unclear how such an outdated assignment made its way there. Regardless, it’s now off the table. “These assignments are inappropriate,” Cross affirmed, “and we’re taking them down.”
Principal’s Perspective
Crestview High’s principal, Alex Rivers, indicated that the teacher had not intended for the assignment to be taken literally and that students were supposed to interpret it more casually. However, Laura’s daughter, Emily, felt differently, stating, “We were never told we could go with a friend.” Principal Rivers acknowledged the need for change, admitting, “There is indeed a gender bias present in this assignment, and it requires an update.”
Moving Forward
Ultimately, while this assignment should never have been issued in the first place, it’s commendable that the school is willing to adapt to contemporary social standards and the feelings of its students. For those interested in learning more about family planning and home insemination options, this blog post at Intracervical Insemination offers valuable insights, as does this excellent resource on donor insemination from the American Pregnancy Association. For those considering home insemination, you can also check out the fertility booster offered at Make A Mom.
In summary, an outdated high school assignment mandating students to go on dates has sparked outrage, leading to its removal from the curriculum. While the intention may have been to teach social skills, the execution was steeped in problematic gender norms. Schools must evolve to reflect modern values and respect for all students.