Parents have been left upset after a primary school decided to ban all of their teachers from addressing the pupils as boys and girls in an attempt to be inclusive to gender-confused individuals.
Instead, the school suggested all employees should use gender-neutral terms. While the administration perceived this act as a step forward to preventing bullying of gender-confused students, most parents weren’t thrilled by the news with one upset father branding it “indoctrination.”
“This removes every child at the school’s gender and causes confusion in children who otherwise would be perfectly happy,” the public letter of the angry parent read.
“Where will it lead? Mixed-sex toilets? Mixed changing areas — which is indecent?”
Following the parent’s online rant, hundreds of fellow parents expressed their concerns over the school’s decision and suggested they are going to extreme lengths.
After the open letter went viral, the head of the Essex’s Leigh North Primary, Ant Hautler, admitted that “the letter has been spread around and has angered the community.”
Nevertheless, the Southend Council refused to budge and continued to defend the primary school’s move to counter gender discrimination.
“Celebrating difference encourages children and young people to respect diversity. It’s not about changing them,” the director of children and learning, Brin Martin, said.
“It’s vital to create school environments where all children can reach their full potential,” LGBT group Stonewall’s representative added.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe that the school took an appropriate approach to counter gender discrimination?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments and don’t forget to SHARE this post with your friends and family and follow us on Facebook for more news and stories!