How Young is Too Young?

Nocturnal emissions and Inappropriate books in Ocean City NJ

Wet Dreams, Erections and Cum

What age is too young to discuss nocturnal emissions and semen for girls and boys? Wet dreams typically start for boys between ages 13 and 17, with the average at about 14.5 years, so what is the rush to provide this information to kids at 9 and 10 years old?

In October, the 4th grade class at intermediate school in Ocean City NJ learned all about erections in health class, where both boys and girls were present for the lesson.

Parents were appalled that kids as young as 9 and 10 were learning this material in a mixed class of boys and girls. At the Ocean City NJ BOE meeting, one upset parent said that her son came home asking about “cum”. An assignment in health class directed the children to click on the Website “Kidshealth”. An excerpt is below, notice how they start alluding to intercourse, making the connection between the man’s semen and the woman’s egg.

What makes matters worse is that the parents had opted-out of the sex ed curriculum with the school, however the school did not honor it. The mom also spoke with the health teacher in the beginning of the year, who assured her that the child would not be subjected to any content related to sexual education.

Oops.

In addition, parents have claimed that they asked the school multiple times to see resources and materials for the sex ed class and those requests were ignored. Parents have to realize that this is a serious violation and can put the district at risk of a lawsuit if the parent’s chose to pursue it. If you are reading this and it happened to you, please contact me.

Sexual Books for 9 Year Olds

What age is it appropriate for kids to read books with sexual content like underage drinking, fondling, masturbation, orgasam, oral sex, sexual intercourse, sexual abuse, rape, and incest?

Is it 9?

Or how about a romance book? What age is that appropriate for?

Also in October, the Ocean City PTA book sale showcased sexually explicit books right for 4th through 8th graders to thumb through.

The graphic novel “Heart Stopper” by Alice Oseman is a book written for 12 to 14 year olds but ended up being presented to 9 year olds. If you want to look up the online discussion about this book on reddit, you’ll have to be over 18 because even the internet has different standards than a book age recommendations.

Fooling around in bed with anyone is not something most moms want their 4th-8th grade kids to learn about through a school book fair. But of course, everyone acts like its ok, as long as its 2 BOYS rolling in bed together for 3 pages.

It always leads back to the sexual content, but the wokescolds make it about LGBTQ+ inclusivity. They ostracize parents into agreeing to share that type of sexual content with our kids, even if you want NO sexual content. What kinds of adults want or need to share sex ideas with children? Think about it.

What happens When You Speak Up?

I’m always shocked when people speak out about the sexualization of our children get blow back from weak kneed moms and dads who want to look hip and popular. I always assume that these are the same types of parents that have parent-sponsored teen alcohol parties with highschool kids at their home.

The mom who complained about the book was ostracized on facebook through a parent group that is really just a high-school style slam page. Here is a clip from her writings that my friend found online:

I am the parent whose child purchased this book. I immediately contacted 3 members of the pta and asked what to do. I returned the book, spoke with the principal, and moved along. I never once blamed the PTA, I never publicly posted anything until yesterday, and I never blasted anyone. On the other hand, I have been snubbed by people who I thought were my friends, and called names. I am a mother, and a member of the PTA. How am I the villain here? I tried reaching out to a very vocal PTA member who said she was taking the high road but still is beating this to death and blasting hurtful things on facebook. I asked to have an adult conversation and meet for coffee (got no response).

I have just discovered this facebook page and see how much hate is being thrown around. I DO NOT like to post, I DO NOT like drama, I like to mind my own business, raise my kids how I feel is appropriate, and not judge anyone how they want to raise theirs. But once I started reading, I couldn't let this go on any more. Yes my husband did go to the board meeting. Why.....because this got SO Blown UP, we were being accused of horrible accusations, nobody wanted to take any accountability for why or how this book got into the fair, and he wanted to make sure we have a plan in place for the next fair so it doesn't happen again. The fair started on Monday, the book was pulled on Friday. How did the administrator not know that book/series was being sold all week until I returned it? So why did I not like this book. Well, I can tell you it had NOTHING to do with 2 boys. It could have been 2 girls, a boy and girl, 2 cats....I don't care!!!!! Please take the gay card off the table. What I did not like is it is a graphic novel. A graphic novel tells the story from looking at photos. A young child can interpret the photos in all sorts of ways. These photos were inappropriate. The superintendent, the principal, and the board ALL agreed. The few words that are in the book are also inappropriate....one in particular saying "captured" "now you must sleep in my bed." This series was for 14+ but yet it was offered for kids 9-13. What did I do wrong questioning the school on why?! I think there would be something wrong if I didn't question it. I do not think this book is appropriate at all, and I personally do not think it needs to be in a public school book fair, but that is MY opinion. I know it is sold at Amazon, and Target and parents can buy it for their children. The big thing people keep discussing is scholastic sends the books. The books sent were for a middle school. We are NOT a middle school. We are an Intermediate school. We have 4th and 5th graders. I do agree it is also important for kids in our "middle school" grades to have options geared for interests older then 4th and 5th. When I was a teacher in another district we would have the administrator/librarian or qualified teacher preview the books before the start of the fair. Some would not make it onto the shelves at all, others would be behind a curtain and only the students who were a certain age or had parent permission would be able to shop that section. I was not happy to find that this series was out and available for ALL grades to purchase. Yes I was able to return the book. However, I really didn't want my children to have access to that book in the first place. By the time it made it's way home and I saw it, the book was already read by my 4th, 5th, and 6th grader who thought it was naughty, appalling, gross and juicy.

I am a member of the PTA, I know how much work PTA does to support our schools. The only thing I could say PTA could have done in this case was when setting up or working the fair they could have brought the book to the administrators attention or question if they felt it was appropriate for this level. The book was seen by the members. It was there all week. I also know that this is a crazy time in our world. We all don't have the same thoughts and beliefs on how to raise our children, but we need to be respectful. What might be right for one may not be right for another. It is best in my opinion to stick to the basics here and let parents decide in the home when their children are ready for books like this. I wish everyone the best. I hope you can all get past this and can try to be a little kinder and respectful for other people's opinions. For those asking for the photos here a just a few that I found someone else posted.....and yes these are from the books that were at our fair.

It’s really a shame it has to be like this. It’s really hard to live in a community of people that don’t share the same basic values. I’m going to re-state it again. IT’S NOT ABOUT LGBTQ+, it’s about SEXUAL CONTENT. It’s a shame that those 2 things are intertwined in children’s books.

I can’t understand why grown adults can’t have a conversation about what is appropriate for 9 year olds,

and yet, here we are.