‘Eric And Martin’ Causes Spirited Debate (Press, 20 November 1986)

A children's book titled "Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin," which tells the story of a five-year-old girl living with her father and his homosexual partner, has ignited a heated debate in Britain regarding sex education in schools. Published by Gay Men’s Press and translated from Danish, the book features illustrations, some of which depict the girl with nude men. This narrative has come under scrutiny as part of a broader campaign to eliminate what some see as inappropriate materials from the classroom. The Inner London Education Authority has decided to allow the book only under special circumstances and with parental consent, while the British Government, led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has sought to ban it entirely. Opposition arose when parents at a London school protested by burning copies of the book and keeping their children at home. Critics of the book argue that it represents a troubling move toward promoting acceptance of homosexuality, which they believe undermines traditional family values. Education Secretary Kenneth Baker has actively opposed the book, labelling it as homosexual propaganda and stating that it has no place in schools. At a Conservative Party conference, he condemned the use of such literature as an example of what he terms Left-wing bigotry in educational systems. In response, the Inner London Education Authority, which oversees numerous public schools, has maintained that it is up to individual schools to choose their own resources. Beginning in the 1960s, sex education has been integrated into various subjects within British schools, but the current discourse reflects a growing concern about a perceived lack of moral guidance in sexual education. While the government remains committed to teaching children about life and health, critics worry about the moral implications of exposing young students to comprehensive material on various sexual topics. In an attempt to balance parental concerns, Baker has proposed giving parents equal representation on school boards to address issues related to sex education. However, a recent effort to allow parents to withdraw their children from sex education classes was unsuccessful in Parliament. Peter Bruinvels, a conservative MP, has been leading the campaign against the book and has published a list of 27 titles he believes should be banned, including "Guide to Sex for Beginners" and "Biology for Life." Despite the backlash against certain books, surveys revealed that a significant majority of parents and teenagers support comprehensive sex education in schools. However, there is a noteworthy division in public opinion regarding parental rights in opting out of sex education classes, with a poll indicating a preference for such rights among the majority of respondents. Currently, the Education Act of 1944 allows parents to withdraw their children from religious education but does not extend this right to sex education. This ongoing debate underscores the tension between progressive educational practices and traditional family values in British society.

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