Teacher refused to teach about the private parts
The school authorities had shown her pictures of the male and female private parts and asked her to teach her year 1 class about them using these pictures. Her pupils are five to six-year-old. She was horrified. As a practising Christian, she refused. We listened in astonishment.
So another year 1 teacher taught that lesson to her class instead.
What did parents say?
The year before, when the children were in reception class, parents were informed they could withdraw children from such lessons. A year later when these lessons are actually taught, few parents remember they have that option. Also, in the UK, some parents are quite liberal and don’t see a problem with such lessons. Hence, less than five parents withdrew their children from this particular lesson.
Why teach this now?
The school justified teaching young kids using such explicit material by saying some children might get touched inappropriately and that this lesson would help them deal with such unwanted behaviour.
The teacher disagreed and said there are other ways of dealing with that problem.
Sexualisation has reached the classroom
Under the banner of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in UK schools, all sorts of sexual matters are being taught even to young primary school children. Our children are being cultured with the secular liberal view of relationships and sex - which harms society in many ways. They are cultured with these views in schools, the media, on social media, and in society in general.
In secular liberal societies, all sorts of relationships are allowed regardless of the consequences - as long as it’s about ‘freedom and love’. Many couples constantly fight each other for ‘their rights’ because there are no clearly defined roles, Extra-marital affairs are common and the sexual harassment of women is rife in a culture that constantly objectifies them.
Promote Islamic view of relationships and sex
We need to offer our children a counter-culture of how Islam sees relationships and sex, in a positive way, that is healthy and wholesome for society and more importantly, does not jeopardise their akhira.
Islam gives us a clearly defined model of relationship which leads to harmony, love, respect and the nurturing of children.
Parents as relationship role models
Parents must emulate the example of the loving husband and wife relationship between Aaisha (ra) and Prophet Muhammad (alayhi salam). A relationship filled with affection, understanding and taqwa.
True Romance
The Prophet (alahyhi salam) was a loving husband. Aaisha (ra) talked about enjoying meals with him. They drank from one cup and he watched where she placed her lips so that he could place his lips on the same spot. He ate from a bone after she ate and placed his mouth where she had eaten. She also said that he placed morsels of food in her mouth and she would do the same.
When she was asked: “What did the Prophet use to do in his house?” She replied, “He used to keep himself busy serving his family.” [Bukhari]. When one of his companions asked him “Which person is most beloved to you?”. He instantly replied “Aaisha”. [Bukhari and Muslim].
Practical example
From their relationship, we learn the Islamic guidance on many aspects of a relationship and sex including: how to resolve disputes between husband and wife; clearly defined roles and that sexual intimacy and enjoyment is restricted to the institution of marriage between husband and wife only. All of this leads to harmony in the family and society at large.
This loving relationship shows us how to practically live up to the verse
وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“And of His signs is that he created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you might repose in them, and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely in that are signs for people who consider” [Sura Ar-Rum 30:21]
By following the example of the Prophet (alayhi salam) and by discussing Islam’s comprehensive views on sex and relationships, we can build a strong Islamic counter-culture that our children can follow in order to have healthy and wholesome relationships as opposed to the dysfunctional and toxic relationships liberal values are creating.
How else can we build strong Islamic values in our children? Share your thoughts below.
Taji Mustafa