To the Editor:
Recently, a letter and petition has been circulating regarding the removal of several library holdings in the young adult section on sexual education reportedly aimed at 11 to 19 years of age. Both this group and their anti-censorship/anti-book banning are missing what should be the main point of this discussion. ( Full disclosure – as a third generation liberal, I am in the latter camp.)
As a pediatric nurse practitioner and developmental specialist, I have been providing sex education as well as gynecology care for decades. I have the experience as well as data to support the fact that sex education is very important. But providing materials supposing that what is good for 11-year-olds is good for 19-year-olds is pretty ridiculous.
There are at least three distinct developmental groups with very different needs in the area of sex education within the 11- to 19-year age span.
This is not about grandiose ideologies. The primary goal is how to keep our kids healthy both physically and emotionally.
It requires different materials for the preteen, young teen and older teen. I think we can all agree on these goals. We need to get there via practical and civil discussions.
As for sexual identity, the letter from our Congregational ministers was exactly on target. As adults, we need to tell our kids that they are great exactly how they are. And yes, I have the data to prove that that kind of acceptance helps keep kids healthy.
Sincerely,
Betsy Groth APRN,
Old Lyme.
Editor’s Note: The author is a Board Certified Pediatric Mental Health Specialist and Child & Family Advocate.
What a thoughtful and reasoned response. Sadly many have been whipped into a frenzy with phrases such as “book bans”. Movies have a rating system: G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 (adult). No one is “banning” movies. These ratings exist to protect children and inform adults. I authored this letter to the library as we believe some of the content in the Teen/Tween room contains adult content and is thus not age appropriate for this space. The library has a process for our request and we look forward to their thoughtful deliberation and outcome. As you suggest, we will get there …. let’s let the library board do their work. Many thanks for your letter.
Thank you for your input on this subject.
Thanks Betsy. A very thoughtful and educated position. Some commenters on the other articles were just attacking each other. Not helpful.
And it’s nice that a first generation American conservative can agree with a third generation liberal on some items. I hope you, Ken, and the “kids” are doing well.