TRENTON, N.J. – As New Jersey schools prepare to incorporate new health and sexual education curriculum, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer sat down to preview some of the lesson plans that align with the standards approved by the state Board of Education in June 2020.
“Schools are veering so far from the mission of academics. People are paying two-thirds of their property taxes to send their kids to school, not learn about porn,” Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) said.
The new standards, which are to be implemented this fall, will teach children medically accurate names for genitalia by the second grade, the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity by fifth grade, and the definition of vaginal, oral and anal sex by the end of middle school. It also covers masturbation and consent, among other adult topics.
“This is going to put thoughts in children’s minds that they don’t need. If a softball coach or a babysitter was showing this to your child, I promise you the police would be showing up at their doorstep,” Sawyer (R-Gloucester) said.
In response to push back from Republicans and parents on both sides of the aisle, Gov. Phil Murphy ordered a review of the standards on April 13.
The Reaction Couch is a web series produced by the Assembly Republican Office that sits GOP legislators down to watch clips and get their thoughts on hot topics concerning the residents of New Jersey. To watch more episodes, visit youtube.com/NJAssemblyGOP.