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Pro-Life High School Group Says Principal Banned Them From Using Life-Sized Fetus

j-mac

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BRANFORD, Conn. (CBS Connecticut) — A high school student who founded a pro-life club says the principal banned her group from using life-sized fetus models as displays.Samantha Bailey-Loomis, a 17-year-old senior at Branford High School tells WWLP-TV that the school’s principal, Lee Panagoulias, refused to let them set up the fetus models during lunch.
“He tells us that this topic in particular is too controversial to be talked about in public school,” she explained to WWLP.

Pro-Life High School Group Says Principal Banned Them From Using Life-Sized Fetus Models « CBS Connecticut

Ok, there are a few things obviously left out of this dust up at this school, and the reporting of it...

1. What's wrong with showing the development of a baby?

2. What was on the poster boards?

3. Don't groups sanctioned within a high school have teacher advisers?

The article leaves questions, such as

1. What was the display depicting?

2. Were the students just educating on the levels of gestation?

3. Why is the development of a child in the womb, "controversial"?

It certainly is told to us that it is fine to broach subjects like homosexuality to kindergartners, are we to think that high school students aren't equipped to see how a baby in the womb develops?
 
I am entirely pro-choice, but I agree with the OP's comparison.
 
Ok, there are a few things obviously left out of this dust up at this school, and the reporting of it...

1. What's wrong with showing the development of a baby?

2. What was on the poster boards?

3. Don't groups sanctioned within a high school have teacher advisers?

The article leaves questions, such as

1. What was the display depicting?

2. Were the students just educating on the levels of gestation?

3. Why is the development of a child in the womb, "controversial"?

It certainly is told to us that it is fine to broach subjects like homosexuality to kindergartners, are we to think that high school students aren't equipped to see how a baby in the womb develops?

I think everyone (read "the principal" here) is so damned afraid of being called on the carpet that they tend to err on the side of what they deem is caution. Of course it's ridiculous. If kids aren't seeing pictures of fetus development in science or biology in high school, their education is lacking. Having a hands-on exhibit at lunchtime? What's the problem?
 
Well, if you show girls a life-size model of a fetus, you might actually inspire them to think about the ramifications of the act of abortion, and God knows, we wouldn't want to make anyone think it might be killing a baby human.
 
Both good posts Maggie, and lizzie....I agree that the Principle over reacted here, but how do we get to a point in our primary education system where school administrators are so afraid of repercussion, that they will over react like this?
 
Ok, there are a few things obviously left out of this dust up at this school, and the reporting of it...

1. What's wrong with showing the development of a baby?

2. What was on the poster boards?

3. Don't groups sanctioned within a high school have teacher advisers?

The article leaves questions, such as

1. What was the display depicting?

2. Were the students just educating on the levels of gestation?

3. Why is the development of a child in the womb, "controversial"?

It certainly is told to us that it is fine to broach subjects like homosexuality to kindergartners, are we to think that high school students aren't equipped to see how a baby in the womb develops?

Hmm - my question is 'why did they allow a pro-life group in a highschool to begin with?'

Odd.
 
As long as it isn't depicted a fetus after abortion during LUNCH of all times, I see no reason for them to be banned.
 
But yet, they wouldn't permit images of birth outside of the science classroom.

Nor would they permit a pro-choice group.

I guess I'm glad my children's school district is more reasonable and not relying on extremes and shock to terrify students into various views.
 
Both good posts Maggie, and lizzie....I agree that the Principle over reacted here, but how do we get to a point in our primary education system where school administrators are so afraid of repercussion, that they will over react like this?
We arrived at that point by way of moral relativism and rationalization. We have decided that as long as the result of an action can be deemed positive, the action itself is acceptable, and that any attempt to assign moral implications to an action drifts too far into the realm of religion, thus is unacceptable to consider.
 
We need more life sized models of the placenta in the cafeteria!
 
It certainly is told to us that it is fine to broach subjects like homosexuality to kindergartners, are we to think that high school students aren't equipped to see how a baby in the womb develops?
Do you have evidence THIS principal said it's okay to discuss homosexuality with kindergartners? Unique people are unique. They are in different schools with different communities and different values. Trying to compare a school from one school from one town in one state to a different school in a different town in a different state is unfair.

Furthermore, I agree with the principal's decision. The school should not take a position on either side of such a politically charged issue. There's nothing wrong with discussing the political issue, but it should be done at the appropriate times, with fact based literature. A student pro-life group setting up displays at lunch time does not meet those standards.
 
Furthermore, I agree with the principal's decision. The school should not take a position on either side of such a politically charged issue. There's nothing wrong with discussing the political issue, but it should be done at the appropriate times, with fact based literature. A student pro-life group setting up displays at lunch time does not meet those standards.

How is the school taking a position? And why are you talking about discussing "the political issue"? We have absolutely no indication that the exhibit was political. It's biology. If that's where the school wants to take it, to the political realm, that's their problem.

People always criticize our public schools for not fostering independent thought. This is a classic example of that.
 
Ok, there are a few things obviously left out of this dust up at this school, and the reporting of it...

1. What's wrong with showing the development of a baby?

2. What was on the poster boards?

3. Don't groups sanctioned within a high school have teacher advisers?

The article leaves questions, such as

1. What was the display depicting?

2. Were the students just educating on the levels of gestation?

3. Why is the development of a child in the womb, "controversial"?

It certainly is told to us that it is fine to broach subjects like homosexuality to kindergartners, are we to think that high school students aren't equipped to see how a baby in the womb develops?


Yes, but they don't do that by showing gay porn in the classroom.

I think a picture of a fetus is starting to border on what should be left to Health class. But I guess this "they can't do whatever they want" feeds your CPC, so go for it.
 
Hmm - my question is 'why did they allow a pro-life group in a highschool to begin with?'

Odd.

Here's a clue....Some High schools across the country also have bible study groups as well. It's called the 1st amendment.
 
As long as it isn't depicted a fetus after abortion during LUNCH of all times, I see no reason for them to be banned.

True..My first thought was along that line as well....But I see nothing in the article to lead me to believe that was the case.
 
But yet, they wouldn't permit images of birth outside of the science classroom.

That isn't what was reported to have gone on...

Nor would they permit a pro-choice group.

Sure they would.

I guess I'm glad my children's school district is more reasonable and not relying on extremes and shock to terrify students into various views.

What do you find so shocking about a child in the womb?
 
Here's a clue....Some High schools across the country also have bible study groups as well. It's called the 1st amendment.

No - I'm pretty certain that if someone tried to start a pro-choice group and showed aborted fetuses it would cause an uproar and be deemed offensive.
 
How is the school taking a position? And why are you talking about discussing "the political issue"? We have absolutely no indication that the exhibit was political. It's biology. If that's where the school wants to take it, to the political realm, that's their problem.

People always criticize our public schools for not fostering independent thought. This is a classic example of that.

Let me see. A pro-life group brings the display in, and it's not political? OK. Anything you say.
 
That isn't what was reported to have gone on...


Sure they would.


What do you find so shocking about a child in the womb?

I don't find anything shocking about fetuses and babies. What's shocking? Nothing. I find the fact that they permitted a pro-choice group on a high school campus to be strange. Not even offensive: but strange.

And, no, they wouldn't permit a pro-choice group. You seriously think they would?

LOL
 
Let me see. A pro-life group brings the display in, and it's not political? OK. Anything you say.

No, it's not. The biology can't be illustrated without it being political? That's just silly.
 
Do you have evidence THIS principal said it's okay to discuss homosexuality with kindergartners? Unique people are unique. They are in different schools with different communities and different values. Trying to compare a school from one school from one town in one state to a different school in a different town in a different state is unfair.

Furthermore, I agree with the principal's decision. The school should not take a position on either side of such a politically charged issue. There's nothing wrong with discussing the political issue, but it should be done at the appropriate times, with fact based literature. A student pro-life group setting up displays at lunch time does not meet those standards.

Do I have evidence? You mean other than the teaching materials that have been documented to have been used? I don't understand why you would choose to deny that..."Unfair"? How about what is "unfair" to the students, and their rights?

That you or I agree, or disagree with the principle of this particular school is irrelevant. And that you say the school shouldn't take a position on such charged topic, well, they did, didn't they? As for "appropriate times", and "fact based", who decides that? You? It is clear today that in our polarized culture, the easiest way to stifle a position is to just claim that which you don't agree with is not based in "fact". As for the timing, I don't really see the problem with showing what a baby looks like at say 28 weeks in the womb, and demonstrating that with a life sized model...What does it matter if it is in the hall at lunch time, or at the end of the day at dismissal?
 
I think it's worth remembering that this is an entirely one-sided article, reporting only what the student claims the principle said to her. Exactly what he objected to and why hasn't been established.

That's sufficient for the same old silly political arguments but not for any kind of rational debate. I guess it depends which you all want to have.
 
Personally, I am against ANY after-school group displaying material during school hours. If this were after school or at a week-end event I would support it.
 
Yes, but they don't do that by showing gay porn in the classroom.

I think a picture of a fetus is starting to border on what should be left to Health class. But I guess this "they can't do whatever they want" feeds your CPC, so go for it.

No, they use books, and lesson plans....

BY JAKE TAPPER and AVERY MILLER
"My wife and I have religious beliefs that say to us it's a sin," David Parker said. He's referring to four pages in a book his 5-year-old son was given by his Massachusetts kindergarten teachers.

The book "Who's In a Family" -- included in a "diversity book bag" for students at Estabrook Elementary School -- is about all kinds of families, including multi-racial, single parent and, to Parker's chagrin, same-sex parents.

There are two main issues in this controversy, which are being debated far beyond the Estabrook school: Is teaching kids about gays and lesbians tolerance or propaganda? And how much control do parents have over what their children are taught?

In several conversations by phone, mail and e-mail, Parker asked teachers and officials at the school to notify him any time the subject of homosexuality was discussed in class.

"When affirmation and normalization of these lifestyles come up, parents want to know about [it] and have the option to opt out," he said.

Dr. Paul Ash, superintendent of Lexington Public Schools, said the school tried to be accommodating.

"The school department said, 'Look, we'll work with you, but we cannot assure you what a child is going to say and that we can immediately stop a discussion that you find objectionable,'" said Ash. "One of the central units in kindergarten is the discussion of families and we show families of all different types." Ash says the discussions "ended up in an irreconcilable difference."

Culture War Hits Kindergarten - ABC News

Another book used in Kindergarten's across the country that has caused controversy...

King & King's LGBT content - it is believed to be the first image of two men romantically kissing portrayed in a children's book[11] - has led many social conservatives to challenge it, on both a local and a national level. These challenges have included attempts to ban the book, to prevent it being used as a teaching tool, or to restrict children's exposure to it by removing it from school or public library shelves or by placing it in sections which young children cannot access.[6]

King & King - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And it wasn't a picture that sparked the response, the article referenced a "life sized model"
 
Personally, I am against ANY after-school group displaying material during school hours. If this were after school or at a week-end event I would support it.

Ok, I can see that viewpoint....So, if say the chess club wanted to have a display at lunch to interest people in chess, you'd be against that? why?
 
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