As the new school year kicks off, it’s that time when teens are asked to share personal details with their teachers, including whether they’ve ever given a hickey or tried illicit substances. One mother was taken aback when she discovered the intrusive questionnaire her daughter received for her Adult Roles and Financial Literacy class.
Jessica Walker expressed her shock upon reviewing the assignment that her daughter, Emily, a junior at Maplewood High School in Maplewood, Utah, was required to complete for a grade. The questionnaire featured 30 probing questions, including “Have you ever removed most of your clothing in a parked car?” and “Have you ever had more than one abortion?”
Curious as to why a teacher would need such intimate information, Jessica shared, “Emily found it invasive and heteronormative, and she believes such questions should not be graded.” The class also covers topics related to “family values and morals,” which seems to translate into a form of moral policing and shaming.
The questionnaire even included a scoring system reminiscent of those outdated quizzes from magazines. “I don’t understand how anyone in a position of authority can ask these kinds of questions,” Jessica remarked. It’s clear that such inquiries can leave students feeling ashamed and devalued if they score anything less than “pure as snow.” After going through the questionnaire, Emily felt hopeless and condemned, ultimately deciding not to complete it.
Following her discovery of the questionnaire, Jessica met with the school’s administrators, who apologized and assured her that it would no longer be used, promising to address the issue with the teacher. Despite these assurances, Emily has yet to receive an apology from her instructor. Jessica was informed that the purpose of the worksheet was “self-realization regarding risky behavior.” However, she contends that it’s still being utilized in class.
It’s hard to believe that sex-shaming 11th graders is an effective way to help them evaluate their life choices. Promoting abstinence and purity while labeling hickeys and sexual activity as negative can be damaging to young minds. Instead, there are much better methods to foster open conversations about students’ lives.
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In summary, a mother was horrified to find her daughter facing an inappropriate questionnaire filled with invasive questions about personal experiences, leading to feelings of shame and hopelessness. Despite school officials promising to remove it, the controversial assignment raises questions about the effectiveness of such teaching methods.