You know, with the topic of sex education (including the various sources for this information), having DGO (Diverse Genders and Orientations) in kids' books and videos, schools and the military not informing the parents when the kids are exploring their gender and sexuality (like wearing binders, gender surgery, etc.), and the news channel I watch saying stuff like "the parents should be the ones teaching kids about sex ed, not schools" and "parents even have to sign permission slips for movies, so why aren't they being informed if their child says that they're trans"..., it got me thinking: why do parents exist?

My parents are teachers, so I know how teachers can become parental figures for those who have less responsible parents. They change kids' lives around sometimes. Teach them morals. Teach them love.

So what role do parents play as opposed to schools?

The answer: Schools can't give the kind of individual attention that parents can. Parents are supposed to focus on a few kids - preferably three or less - so that they can know those children well enough that they can make the best possible decisions for those kids.

This is why it's important for the parent to be the "knowledge holder" mentioned in the Sex Ed chapter. If a child doesn't see the parent as a "knowledge holder," they won't go to the parent for guidance when they face conflicts. They won't tell their parents when they find themselves in danger or becoming dangerous (to themselves or others - suicide, rape...), question their identity (whether gender, sexuality, or what), or are just struggling socially.... The parent won't know any of that, so the parent can't help them. The parent loses the ability to make the best decisions for the child because the parent doesn't know the child. Parents have to make sure that their child feels safe coming to them with problems. When a child faces a problem that they can't solve on their own, the parent should be the first person they go to.

I think this role is important to lay down before we have any conversation about sex ed and other things. Since kids' aren't fully developed, someone needs to monitor the development of their identity and morals. That responsibility falls on the parents. Then if those parents can't fulfill that duty, THEN it falls on the school -- just like morals.