The Pono Choices curriculum, an unintended teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted disease prevention program for middle school students in Hawaii’s public school system, has (again) been in the news. On Sept. 4, the Hawaii State Department of Education announced its approval of an updated version of the curriculum.
The DOE also changed its policy from parents having the choice to opt-out of Pono Choices, if they provide the correct forms to the school, to an opt-in option. Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, all parents must sign an opt-in form to allow their children to participate in sexual health education.
We applaud DOE’s decision. It shows it is listening to parents and groups who have serious concerns related to Pono Choices on many levels including age-appropriateness, its graphic nature, inaccurate definitions and medical inaccuracies.
The debate about Pono Choices highlights serious concerns parents have regarding the best way to teach their children in matters related to the sensitive issues of intimacy and sexuality. Since Catholic parents are entrusted, from the moment of their child’s baptism, with the role of being the primary educators in matters of faith, including the church’s teachings on chastity and human sexuality, it is best to look at these issues in a broader sense and in the light of Catholic teachings.
Here are two resources which can help parents understand what to teach:
- “Basic Guidelines for Human Sexuality Education Within the Family,” by the Diocese of Honolulu Religious Education Office, available at www.catholichawaii.org/adultfaith.
- “A Parent’s Guide: Teaching the Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality.” Preview the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf4vs5D8zxI. To buy it, go to www.catholicparents.org and look under “multimedia” then “family.”
Here is a resource which can help parents understand when to teach:
- “Chastity and Human Sexuality in the Early, Adolescent, and Teen Years,” available at www.catholichawaii.org/adultfaith.
Equipped with this basic information, what should parents do specifically regarding Pono Choices or any human sexuality curriculum in your public school?
First, pray with your spouse, pastor or a close friend. Call upon the Holy Spirit for wisdom, understanding, and strength.
Examine the human sexuality curriculum at your child’s school to gain a good understanding of what your child will learn.
Do not “opt in” your child if the human sexuality curriculum does not align with the values of your family and the church or is not age-appropriate.
Discuss your values with your child in a loving, nurturing and age-appropriate way.
Lastly, we are the church. Join with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Find support with parents who hold common values by getting involved with your parish religious education program or consider enrolling your child in a Catholic school.
Michael Rockers is the superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools. Jayne Mondoy is the director of the diocese’s Religious Education Office.