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Let's look at the idea that we need to "protect" children's innocence. Firstly, what do people mean by it? Commonly it's used in relation to knowledge of sex or body parts, but I’ve also heard it from ppl who want to shield kids from issues like racism or environmental issues
To my mind there is something pretty off about thinking that educating a child about their own bodies or the world around them will somehow despoil them. It also begs the question what do these people feel they’re protecting children from?
Will knowledge of the correct words for body parts like vulva or penis somehow taint a child in irreparable ways? What does this mean for children who have suffered sexual abuse? Are they not "innocent" in the eyes of those parents?
What is the alternative? Keeping scientific and health information away from children? How does that serve them? By not informing our kids we teach them shame & fear about their own bodies... By not talking in a blatant way about racism parents are perpetuating racism...
By not addressing the facts about the earth's destruction we are raising another generation who will cause more destruction...ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is dangerous. That is why children's organisations campaign for fact-based sex ed, it's been PROVEN to keep kids safer.
Innocence is a very strange thing to want for children. I want kids to feel loved and safe. I want them to have the healthcare they need when they need it & for them to be educated academically, critically & socially so they have all the skills they need to negotiate this world
#MarchForInnocence is a misnomer, what they're really asking for is stupidity and ignorance. They don't want kids to have rights or information about their own bodies. The thought that people are out protesting for that, is scary. https://medium.com/indian-thoughts/protecting-childrens-innocence-301f8d2d4f7e
