So... would you take offense...

kaesha · December 2010

... if your grade 8 child was discussing prostitution laws in school? We're doing hot topics and media analysis, and the kids were in charge of presenting two sides of an issue that has recently appeared in the news. Here in Ontario, we just had a court case challenging the national prostitution laws, which was won by the women presenting the case (they wanted the right to practice their profession in their own houses). So, the kids had to choose an article from a recent newspaper to analyse, and, of course, this story is all over the place. I allowed it, figuring that if they're old enough to read the article, they're old enough to talk about it.

blenderdance · December 2010

I would rather my kids be discussing it in school with a teacher present to help facilitate the discussion and keep it appropriate than have it be a conversation with no one to monitor what is going on...

But then, I tend to like to let my students talk about controversial topics as well, so I may not be the best judge Smile

snoopy3319 · December 2010

I think by grade 8, you sort of know and have figured out what is going on in the world. I agree that I'd want my child's teacher helping them learn the proper way about controversial topics. Although, considering a story I read (not sure if it was on this board or not) about a teacher getting yelled at by a parent for snapping their fingers at a student, it seems parents are getting really overprotective.

rxbeth · December 2010

I wouldn't, but then again, I would probably have been that student. Surprise

I would pick controversial topics to see how far I could push the envelope.

ring_pop · December 2010

If the students did a good analysis, I think it's a good idea to treat them with the respect that they deserve, as people old enough to discuss a real issue with maturity. It's important to take them seriously at that age... IF they are serious about it.

katsblaze · December 2010

ring_pop:
If the students did a good analysis, I think it's a good idea to treat them with the respect that they deserve, as people old enough to discuss a real issue with maturity. It's important to take them seriously at that age... IF they are serious about it.

I completely agree with Ringy. It would be very interesting to hear to what they came up with.

NeptoonGrl1 · December 2010

I wouldn't, but then again, I think it's important to expose kids to the real world and let them know that their opinions matter. By 8th grade, kids know about prostitution, and if it's a hot topic in the news, then by all means they should talk about it. That being said, they should talk about it seriously and understand that it's a serious issue with larger implications than just sex.

futuremrsofficer · December 2010

blenderdance:
I would rather my kids be discussing it in school with a teacher present to help facilitate the discussion and keep it appropriate than have it be a conversation with no one to monitor what is going on...

But then, I tend to like to let my students talk about controversial topics as well, so I may not be the best judge

This is me.

kaesha · December 2010

They were great. We talked about issues of poverty, and slavery as well as issues about safety. We also discussed whether removing the ban would encourage teens to aspire to become prostitutes or not. They were really good about thinking about both sides of the issue.

They were funny though too, a lot of the boys were like "If my mum knew I was talking about this, she'd be so mad".

So... would you take offense...

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