DIVINE IMPORTANCE OF SEX: BEYOND CULTURE AND SCHOOL
SIECCAN (Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada) just released new federal guidelines (guidelines were funded by Public Health Canada) for Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE). These guidelines ramp up the sexuality instruction to youth beginning in Kindergarten.
Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) was originally adopted in the mid-1990s because it promised, through instruction in condom use, to reduce HIV and STI infection rates. BUT CSE is not reducing STIs. The reality is that STI rates have increased significantly during the years of CSE instruction—up to 4200%. In addition, peer-reviewed studies prove it is not working and often leads to other negative results.2
The most recent Benchmark document was designed as a tool for educators, program developers, and policy makers to evaluate sexual health education programs. In addition, the tool will be used by activists (inside and outside the system) to undermine parental authority and ensure all children have the autonomous right to apply their sexual rights, determine their gender, sexual orientation, and express themselves sexually whenever they feel ready.
What is SIECCAN?
SIECCAN is the Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada. SIECCAN was established in 1964 by Planned Parenthood with funding from Playboy magazine.
1. SIECCAN, Benchmarks for Comprehensive Sex Education;
Source: [https://www.sieccan.org/_files/ugd/283cae_b1caa618b72d4e0fb6f6c1a3040fb1e5.pdf](https://www.sieccan.org/_files/ugd/283cae_b1caa618b72d4e0fb6f6c1a3040fb1e5.pdf)
2. Weed, Stan; Re-Examining the Evidence for Comprehensive Sex Ed in Schools;
Source: [https://www.institute-research.com/CSEReport/CSEReport-Final_9-13-17.pdf](https://www.institute-research.com/CSEReport/CSEReport-Final_9-13-17.pdf)
Dr. Mary Calderone had been the medical director for Planned Parenthood when, in 1964, she founded SIECCAN in Canada and SIECUS in the United States. Dr. Calderone believed there was an urgent need to break from traditional views of sexuality. She believed sex education had too much negativity—too much focus on unwanted pregnancy and diseases. The real problem, she insisted, was that society is puritanical and repressed. According to Calderone, proper sex education would teach children that they are sexual beings, and that the expression of their sexuality is positive, natural, and healthy at all ages.³
**Federal Government and the New Guidelines**
SIECCAN is not a federal government agency, but the federal government funded the development, creation, and future implementation of these guidelines (a 5-year project). As mentioned above, there has been significant research proving that CSE is not resulting in improved health outcomes (i.e., reduction in STIs). In response to this, three provinces have been taking measures to scale back sex education.
In response, there have been many pro-CSE groups pressuring the provincial governments. The federal government is not supposed to have jurisdiction over education, but it is most interesting that this federally supported document was released on September 19, 2024, just before the governments begin their sessions. It will be another tool in the activists’ tool belt to pressure governments to not only reinstate but expand on CSE and the autonomous and sexual rights of children.
**Benchmark Document & Goals of CSE**
This document proves that the goals of CSE are more far-reaching than merely reducing risk and are very much in alignment with Calderone’s goal for SIECCAN of working through education to liberalize the sexual values of society. The Benchmark document states:
The goal of Comprehensive Sex Education is to enhance the ability of an individual to achieve and maintain sexual health and well-being. This includes increasing the capacity for sexual health enhancement (e.g., satisfying and equitable relationships) and preventing outcomes that can negatively impact a person’s sexual health and well-being (e.g., sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence). (P. 6)
https://www.comprehensivesexualityeducation.org/history-of-cse/
Everyone agrees with the goals of reducing STIs and gender-based violence, but this can be accomplished through the Public Health primary prevention strategy (sexual risk avoidance programs) without equipping youth to engage in sex. However, the primary goal of Planned Parenthood is to liberalize the sexual values of society through CSE.
The purpose of the Benchmarks, as written in the box below, indicates that this tool would be used by activists (inside and outside the system) to undermine parental authority and ensure all children have the autonomous right (overriding parents, traditional family values, faith teachings, and traditional culture) to apply their sexual rights, determine their gender, sexual orientation, and express themselves sexually whenever they feel ready—and how often do teens feel they are ready!
The Benchmarks provide educators, program developers, and policymakers with a consistent, evidence-based tool to develop, implement, and evaluate sexual health education programs.
The goal of CSE, as stated above—equipping youth to have sexual relations—is woven throughout all of the strands. Not every Benchmark is of concern, but there are concerns with many of the Benchmarks in every Topic Strand. For the sake of this article, I will focus only on Benchmarks in four strands:
a) Autonomy and Consent
b) Values and Rights
c) Sexual Health and Enhancement
d) Digital and Media Literacy and Technology
In the near future, I will create a tool outlining all of the strands, the Benchmarks, and the concerns.
– Reduced earning potential, increased exposure to poverty.
– Feeling of regret for sexual activity.
– Poorer mental and emotional health, increased depression.
– Increased suicide rates (boys 8x, girls 3x).
– Poorer family relationships (as a youth and as an adult), reduced family stability.
– Increased divorce rates.
– Less attachment to parents, school, and faith.
– Increased risk-taking, such as drug and alcohol use and crime.
– Less likely to exercise self-efficacy and self-regulation.
– Higher likelihood of experiencing sexual exploitation, dating violence, and unwanted or forced intercourse/rape.
The goal of Comprehensive Sex Education, as proven in The Benchmarks (remember, this was funded by the federal government, so it will be pushed onto the provinces), is to change the sexual norms of society. This will have an enormous negative impact on faith communities and future generations.
**Are you concerned?**
We have the tools to help parents and the church guide kids toward Optimal Sexual Health. PEACE Education Services has created a Family Foundations—10 session training for parents and church leaders. See more info about Family Foundations in the email.
**Take ACTION!**
Contact Phil at info@PeaceOntario.com, and let’s discuss how to:
a) Inform your community.
b) Equip parents to guide their children in optimal sexual health.
c) Advocate for the rights of faith communities and the differentiated learning needs of our children in public education.
Phil Lees (Hamilton, Ontario) is founder and CEO, PEACE Ed Services (www.peaceontario.com) – a Canadian charity dedicated to empowering youth with the knowledge and skills to protect their futures by avoiding at-risk activities such as non- marital sex.
After 29 years in education (teacher, curriculum consultant, university instructor) his full-time focus shifted to countering the negative effects of our hyper-sexualized culture. The organization equips parenting adults and church leadership to develop positive sexual health character within their children and youth. In 2013 The work of the Canadian organization expanded to Hawaii.
Phil is married to his high school sweetheart, Ruth Ann. Together they have raised three adult children and are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.