Govt's bill on parent consent for sex-emotional education becomes law

The government's law requiring schools

to obtain parental consent for sexual and emotional-relationship

education activities won definitive approval in the Senate on

Thursday, passing with 78 votes in favour and 38 against.

"We are protecting children from the confusion of gender

propaganda and giving parents a voice on issues of gender

identity for their minor adolescent children," said Education

Minister Giuseppe Valditara after the vote.

"In doing so, we are applying the Constitution, which grants

parents the right to educate their children.

"Of course, we demand that certain theories be explained by

doctors, psychologists, and reputable professionals,

"I would also like to take this opportunity to clarify some

aspects that have been deliberately misconstrued.

"It is not true that this law will prevent emotional education:

for the first time, the government has made education in

respect, relationships, and empathy mandatory across all school

levels.

"It is not true that biological sex education will not be

provided: it will continue to be included in science curricula

at all school levels.

"For the first time, we are introducing education on the

prevention of sexually transmitted diseases into middle school

curricula.

"This was not included in the previous national guidelines for

primary school.

"It will also be included in high school science curricula.

"With this law, we are protecting the growth of young people and

promoting their balanced development".

The opposition has said the reform will take Italy back to the

Middle Ages, arguing education on sexual matters and

affectionate should not require parental consent, amid a wave of

gender violence and femicides partly attributed to young men's

inability to see women as no more than possessions and sex

objects.

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