With elementary students heading back to school next week, the Ontario government has released a new ad promoting its controversial sex-education curriculum.
The 30-second ad called “Show of Hands” is being released in English and French and shows five young people of different ages and ethnic backgrounds dealing with scenarios in which they feel confused or uncomfortable.
In one instance, a girl contemplates whether to take a compromising selfie, while in another case, a boy is visibly upset after receiving abusive messages on social media.
“Our kids have questions. The sex-ed and health curriculum can help,” the voiceover says as young people are shown raising their hands.
Education Minister Liz Sandals unveiled the new sex-ed curriculum in February – the first update since 1998 – which includes information about healthy relationships, consent and online safety. Despite opposition at the time, she insisted it would be in place for the start of classes.
Under the changes, Grade 1 students will learn the proper names for body parts, while Grade 3 students will be taught about same-sex relationships. Students in Grades 4 and up will learn more about the dangers of online bullying, while the perils of sexting will come in Grade 7.
Lessons about puberty will move from Grade 5 to Grade 4, while masturbation and “gender expression” are mentioned in the Grade 6 curriculum. By Grades 7 and 8, the curriculum includes contraception, anal and oral sex, preventing pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections.
Ontario parents also have the right to withdraw their children from aspects of the curriculum they find objectionable.
This article originally appeared at 680News.com.
