Pro-Life and the High School Scene
By Mike Girard

I am fortunate to be teaching in a school system which is openly pro-life. The School Board's public statement of values says, "We believe in the sanctity of all human life.." On paper and in principle, the vision, values, and mission of the Board reflect pro-life beliefs and values. In each of the grades from nine to twelve, approximately 20% of the Religion curriculum is to be devoted to the Family Life strand, which includes sexuality and sex related subjects and issues. The Catholic school system provides a wonderful opportunity to educate from a pro-life point of view.

Last year teaching grade ten History, I was able to draw a striking parallel between "The Alberta Five" with the famous persons case, and the plight of the unborn today. In the past, Canadian women were not afforded the right to vote, because they were not "persons" under the law. They were not legal persons; therefore, they could not enjoy the legal right to vote. Today, unborn Canadians are not afforded the right to life, because they are not "persons" under the law. Since they are not legal persons, they cannot enjoy legal protection and rights. In both cases, the law does not reflect reality and we witness a heartless and pathetic exercise of raw judicial power, in order to deprive people of basic human rights, that is, the right to vote and the right to life. The students saw very clearly the grave injustice in both situations, and we looked at abortion as a societal and human rights issue. It was from this class that a "Students for Life" group was formed, which met regularly and participated in the National March for Life last year.

The grade twelve Parenting course afforded a great opportunity to bring to light the reality and person of the unborn as we studied prenatal development. I showed "Preview of a Birth" which portrayed the amazing world of the life of the child within the womb. I raised the issue of abortion and we talked about the reasons why a girl or woman might choose to have an abortion. All students knew that it was a baby, a child, a person that was killed.

In the grade ten Religion class, abortion and euthanasia were treated as moral issues and they were studied from a Christian point of view, along with chastity and sexual abstinence. Abstinence until marriage was presented as the best, the healthiest, and the right moral choice.

I administered an anonymous "sex" survey and formed a student feedback group, approved by the School Board, where students shared their views, observations, questions, and concerns. It was very enlightening and interesting. During this time, I was also on a fact-finding mission, asking many questions on curriculum, programs, practices, resources, and support for teachers. I share with you several of my observations and conclusions:

Students:

•  Many students have received limited sex education throughout high school.

•  What the students receive is often "hit and miss," and much depends upon the individual teacher.

•  It is important to reach students in grades 6, 7, and 8, before they go to high school.

•  Students are receptive to chastity and abstinence as health issues.

Teachers:

•  Many teachers are not comfortable dealing with subjects of sex and sexuality.

•  Many teachers do not know topics well.

•  Many teachers are reluctant to actively and forthrightly promote chastity and abstinence.

•  Teachers who are serious about the issues and getting the correct information and values across to the students seem to be in the minority.

Other:

•  There is a need for teachers to work closer together to promote the pro-life message.

•  Teachers need more resources, materials, support, and in-service help to deliver the curriculum, values, and message more effectively.

•  Sex education must be placed in the broader context of human sexuality, and a special focus on chastity and abstinence for young people is crucial today.

•  Ignorance, misconception, and apathy abound around pro-life issues.

Teaching in a Catholic high school affords many opportunities to educate students in the sanctity of human life, and to get across the pro-life message. Although there are ample opportunities, there also appears to be a significant lack in implementation and practice. Teachers could be encouraged and supported to do more. Most students want good sex education and are receptive to an open, sincere and knowledgeable teacher. We can't give in to the prevalent attitude, "they're going to do it anyway," and not try to turn the tide of the high incidence of teen sexual activity. We must be both pro-life and pro-active and actively promote and encourage chastity and abstinence. We need to teach the truth with love and show students the inherent good in the pro-life message, in order to help them make good and healthy choices.

Mike Girard is a high-school teacher at St. Mary's College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and is currently doing research and developing school curriculum on chastity and abstinence education and practice.

For those teachers interested in being part of "Teachers for Life," contact:

Mike Girard
(705) 941-9588
girardm@shaw.ca