Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 5 July 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills

Review of Relationships and Sexuality Education: Discussion (Resumed)

9:30 am

Photo of Lynn RuaneLynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a just a couple of questions and might have some more if there is another round. When first reading the material, I noted morality was mentioned many times. Maybe it is the philosophy student in me. The word "morality" just kept jumping out at me. Morality can be relative. Who exactly sets out the moral indicators for children in terms of what is and is not acceptable, especially regarding sex education and every type of relationship, including transgender relationships. Who exactly is responsible? What does morality mean in each of the statements? In the resource materials for fifth and sixth classes, morality is also mentioned. The word "morality" is used a lot, in addition to the word "values". Deputy Naughton asked about what is not taught, as did Deputy Byrne. Are the delegates aware of the Catholic Church interfering with the sexual education of kids, regardless of the RSE programme? I refer to when the church becomes aware that particular schools are bringing in external providers or teaching about sexual consent and positive sexual experiences. I am aware of a number of cases of an individual - I think it might have been a bishop - sending letters to schools to stop what they are teaching regarding sexual consent. I suppose it makes the schools somewhat fearful because of their boards of management. How do the delegates feel about that? I am reading the quotes from Archbishop Martin. He used the phrase, "the imparting of so-called 'objective' information". I believe I am right in saying the Catholic Church has been imparting so-called objective information. Sexual education is much more factual when we move to a new age and away from the Catholic values associated with sexuality. I notice phrases such as "essential if we are to help young people cope with the risks to their health". Sometimes when it comes to the Catholic Church and sexual education, the statements are risk-associated. It is about the risks to one's life and health, the risk of becoming pregnant outside marriage and the risk of STIs. The approach is all risk-oriented rather than about teaching sexual education in a positive framework around negotiated sexual experiences, what is acceptable, why experiences should be positive and why one should be confident in certain circumstances. My main question is on who sets out the idea of morality in each school. Second, how do the delegates feel about the Catholic Church sending letters to school to stop them from carrying out sexual consent workshops?

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.