protecting parents and children
The importance of the family for the life and well-being of society entails a particular responsibility for society to support and strengthen marriage and the family. Civil authority should consider it a grave duty “to acknowledge the true nature of marriage and the family, to protect and foster them, to safeguard public morality, and promote domestic prosperity” (CCC, 2210).
Without parental consent, minors under the age of 18 can not receive medical attention at school and they can not receive a vaccine at their doctor’s office. There is a long list of things a minor can’t do but they can now make a life altering, physically, mentally, and emotionally harmful decision without parental involvement. On June 1, 2022 the Illinois Parental Notification of Abortion act was repealed.
The state of Illinois has made changes to the national sexual education standards. Topics such as gender identity, expression, and orientation will be taught from kindergarten through grade 12. What kind of options are available to you? Learn more below.
– St. John Paul II
“While all members of the family are called to live out the foundational Christian virtues, fathers and mothers have a special responsibility for fostering these virtues within their children. They are the first to proclaim the faith to their children. They are responsible for nurturing the vocation of each child, showing by example how to live the married life, and taking special care if a child might be called to the priesthood or consecrated life.”
– USCCB, Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan, 2009
Starting this fall, the National Sex Education Standards, developed by Sex Ed for Social Change (SEICUS) will be taught in Illinois public schools. Some of the concepts are contrary to the Church teaching on the divine gift of sexuality, undermine parental rights, indoctrinate children to a social agenda, and can cause irreparable harm. Read Bishop Malloy’s statement HERE. Disponible en Español.
By the end of each listed grade, students should be able to…
According to Family Watch International, a consultative organization to the United Nations, harmful effects of this education includes:
It is very important to educate yourself so you can make informed decisions.
*The Google Doc by Awake Illinois provides the status of each Illinois school district’s decision to adopt the new National Sex Education Standards curriculum. The document is updated daily.
You have the power to opt your child/children out of sex education courses. Schools are required to give parents and guardians an opportunity to review the scope and sequence of instructional materials. The school district must also post contact information of school personnel who can respond to inquiries regarding course instruction and materials. Parents and guardians can opt their children out of sex education courses by submitting re request in writing to the school.
An alternative to public education is Catholic schooling. Diocese of Rockford Catholic Schools rely on the Catholic faith to guide curriculum on all subjects, including sex education.
Public school boards have the option to teach or not sex education at all. One option is to petition public school boards to drop sex education from the curriculum in its entirety. It is also important to advocate on a legal level by remaining in contact with local legislators.
Should you keep your children opt in to sexual education, we encourage you to remain vigilant to who is teaching and what they are teaching. Be aware of any outside consultants schools may be using and continue to monitor materials which can cause damage or confusion. If your child’s school district has not opted in this year, please be sure to check again each school year.
As of August 22, 2022 Rockford School District 205 and Dekalb Community Unit School District 428 have adopted the new comprehensive sex education curriculum. Other schools in Carroll, Jo Daviess, Kane, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties -throughout the Diocese of Rockford – are considering whether to opt out of implementing such instruction. The school districts in Stephenson County have opted out of implementing the curriculum.
– Bishop Malloy