As the school year kicks off, students are often faced with unexpected assignments. One mother, Lila Thompson, was taken aback when she discovered the intrusive questionnaire her teenage son, Jake, received in his Adult Roles and Financial Literacy class.
Lila described her reaction as “shocked” after reading through the list of questions Jake was required to answer for a grade. The questionnaire, filled with personal and provocative prompts, included items like “Have you ever been involved in risky behavior?” and “Have you ever experienced a significant relationship that had an impact on your life?” among others.
Jake, a junior at West Valley High School in West Valley City, Utah, felt uncomfortable with the nature of the questions. Lila shared with Home Insemination Kit that he considered the assignment invasive and overly focused on conventional norms. “He didn’t think that something like that should be graded,” she remarked.
The curriculum claims to promote “family values and morals,” which Lila interpreted as a thinly veiled attempt to pry into students’ personal lives and potentially shame them. The questionnaire included a scoring system that seemed designed to label students based on their responses, reminiscent of outdated quizzes that could evoke feelings of shame and inadequacy.
“My son came home feeling anxious and judged,” Lila said. Despite the pressure to complete the assignment, Jake ultimately chose not to submit his answers. Following this incident, Lila met with the school’s administration, where they expressed regret and promised to discontinue the use of the questionnaire. However, Jake has yet to hear an apology from his teacher.
The school officials explained that the worksheet aimed to promote “self-awareness regarding risky behavior,” but Lila remains skeptical. She noted that despite assurances, there are indications the worksheet might still be circulating within the curriculum.
Engaging in sex-shaming tactics with high school juniors is unlikely to foster healthy discussions about personal choices and relationships. Promoting abstinence and a narrow definition of purity can adversely affect adolescents. There are certainly more constructive approaches to encourage open dialogues about the challenges teens face today.
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In conclusion, the incident highlights the importance of ensuring that educational materials respect students’ privacy and promote healthy, open conversations instead of perpetuating shame.