Parents’ Association Explains Its Stand (Press, 16 June 1975)
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Summary: Parents’ Association Explains Its Stand (Press, 16 June 1975)
On 16 June 1975, the Concerned Parents' Association responded to an accusation made by Christchurch psychiatrist Dr J. R. E. Dobson, who described the group as “a pressure group trying to keep young people ignorant.” This statement came in light of the association's stance against the inclusion of topics such as abortion and contraception in school curriculums. The contention arose following remarks by Mr I. J. Melville, president of the Social Workers' Association, who advocated for school courses on human relationships, which would cover these subjects. The Concerned Parents' Association clarified that it does not oppose the teaching of the biological facts of human reproduction in high schools. However, they prefer that discussions on these topics for younger children occur on a voluntary basis, ideally outside of school hours, and preferably with parental involvement to accommodate varying maturity levels among children. The association expressed its aim to inform parents about sex education programmes, both locally and internationally, highlighting the importance of safeguarding children and parents in these educational matters. They encourage individual parents to educate themselves and take action regarding what their children are taught. In its statement, the association also critiqued the stance of the College of Psychiatrists, which appears to support changes in laws regarding contraception and abortion, as well as advocating for the inclusion of viewpoints aligned with these issues in school sex education programmes. The Concerned Parents’ Association firmly stated its position against the teaching and discussion of such subjects in primary and intermediate schools, maintaining that these issues should not be part of the school curriculum at those levels.
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