Over the past few weeks, Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill sparked debates across the nation. The bill was labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by critics who claim the law will cause harm to children who identify as transgender or gay. The bill aims to “prohibit schools from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students from kindergarten through third grade,” Fox News reports. 

While opposers say the bill harms children, limits free speech and restricts LGBTQ rights, it is meant to protect children in kindergarten to third grade from being exposed to the mature topics of sexual orientation and gender identity as well as ensure parental oversight into what children learn. Teaching on sexuality and gender identity should be considered by the parents of each individual child—not the schools and teachers. 

PARENTAL RIGHTS

Parents should have the final say and authority over what their children learn and their exposure to topics beyond their maturity-level. With sensitive matters like sex education and sexual orientation, it is best to leave the teaching to parents. Parents know their kids best—they know when to introduce sensitive topics to their children according to their maturity-level. They can help guide their child through any questions that arise.

Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic representative from Hawaii, said that “parents should raise their kids, not the government,” according to Fox News. 

While some view the bill as homophobic, it is anything but. 

“Many Democrats and left-wing media outlets have accused the bill of being anti-gay, a narrative that Gov. Ron DeSantis’s office has strongly rejected,” Fox News reports. The bill is there to protect young minds and parental rights.

PROTECT CHILDREN’S MINDS

The bill has a large approval rating among both Democrats and Republicans. According to a poll conducted by Public Opinions Strategies, a bipartisan majority support the bill—55% of Democrats agree with the bill. The National Review reports that there has been much disinformation spread about the bill, causing people to panic, protest and speak out against it. 

One of the biggest reasons to support the bill is to protect the innocence of children. The bill blocks these conversations from the classrooms of Kindergarteners to third graders. These kids, typically under the age of eight, should not be inundated with information not relevant to their age—and their parents should have a voice in what they learn in schools. They are kids—most of them are not ready to hear about gender identity. 

As college students, we must wisely discern between holding healthy conversations while protecting the innocent and young. It is crucial to be aware of what rights and freedoms parents have today that their children may not have tomorrow.