"Parental Rights" bills and their effects on American students
The Effect of the “Don’t Say Gay” bills and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation on American students
One of the biggest and most frequently heard debates in regards to American schools is what material is considered suitable to teach children. Parents often have different views on what material they consider appropriate for their child. Perhaps the most frequently debated topic among parents is teachings about the LGBTQ+ community in schools. This is a particularly hot topic in 2022 due to the recent “Don’t Say Gay” bills. In March of 2022, Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis signed the “Parental Rights in Education” bill. This bill states that “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.” After this bill was signed, at least 20 states proposed what opponents call “Don’t Say Gay” bills. Many of these bills also require that teachers and counselors divulge information confided to them by students about gender or sexuality to those students’ parents.
These bills clearly have a significant effect on the education that students are receiving in schools, and call into question whether young students who are dealing with issues regarding their gender or sexuality are being disregarded. Those in favor of these bills believe that parents should have more of a say in what material is suitable for their child to learn about and that they should be able to sue if their child is receiving teachings that they do not consider age appropriate. Many believe that elementary age children are too young to comprehend issues regarding sexual orientation and gender identity and that curriculum in schools should be more parent approved overall. Those in opposition to these bills believe that American students are being deprived of a proper education, especially students who are questioning their own gender identity and sexuality. They also believe that it disregards students who do not come from traditional families. Many teachers believe that these bills put a rift between teachers and parents and give parents too much of a say in how they do their job. President Biden tweeted “I want every member of the LGBTQ+ community- especially the kids who will be impacted by this hateful bill- to know that you are loved and accepted just as you are. I have your back, and my administration will continue to fight for the protections you deserve.
I personally believe that the “parental rights” bills should not be enforced. I disagree with the notion that elementary age children are too young to comprehend topics regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. A significant number of members of the LGBTQ+ community are aware of their sexuality at a young age. There are also millions of American children who are being raised by same-sex couples or have at least one gay or trans parent. I believe that the execution of these bills disregards these families and puts unnecessary trauma on these children. I believe that it will also greatly affect the education of American students in the years to come by making the topic of gender identity and sexual orientation “taboo”. These bills also have the potential to steer students away from counseling and getting the guidance and support that they need, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues down the road. Students will not have the freedom to discover themselves and they will not seek out guidance and information due to the fear of potentially being outed to their parents. I also think that these bills give parents too much power, and that they could lead to an abundance of major lawsuits and the possibility of other vital teachings being vetoed in the future. In conclusion, these bills are harmful to students’ educations and to the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the American education system as a whole.