As the new school year kicks off, students across the country are often faced with peculiar assignments. One mother was taken aback when she discovered the content of a questionnaire her teenage daughter was required to complete for an Adult Skills and Financial Literacy class.
Marie Thompson expressed her disgust after reviewing the questions posed to her daughter, Anna, a junior at Maple High School in Maplewood, Ohio. The questionnaire, intended for grading, included inquiries such as, “Have you ever kissed someone for more than a minute?” and “Have you ever used recreational drugs?” Among the 30 questions, several were particularly troubling.
Marie stated that Anna found the questions to be intrusive and overly focused on heterosexual perspectives. “She felt uncomfortable and believed that such topics shouldn’t be evaluated for a grade,” Marie shared. It seems that the class also emphasized “family values and ethics,” which raised concerns about potential judgment and shaming of students.
The questionnaire even included a scoring system reminiscent of outdated quizzes from years past—“You’re a good kid, just where you should be at your age.” But who determines what that means? Marie voiced her concerns, stating, “No one, especially an educator, should be asking those types of questions.” Many students may feel demoralized if they don’t meet the standards set by such an assignment. Anna returned home feeling “defeated and judged,” ultimately deciding against completing the questionnaire.
After discussing the matter with the school’s administration, Marie received assurances that the questionnaire would no longer be in use and that an apology would be extended to Anna. However, no apology from the teacher had been issued at the time, and Marie noted that the school claimed the worksheet’s purpose was to promote self-awareness regarding risk-taking behaviors. Yet, despite the assurances, the worksheet remained part of the curriculum.
It’s baffling to think that shaming techniques would be employed to guide teenagers in reflecting on their choices. Promoting abstinence and viewing sexual exploration as negative can lead to harmful consequences for young people. There are certainly more constructive ways to engage students about their experiences and choices.
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In summary, a mother was left horrified by a school assignment that she deemed invasive and inappropriate for her teenage daughter. Despite assurances from school officials, the questionnaire remains a part of the curriculum, raising questions about the effectiveness of shaming as a teaching tool.
Keyphrase: invasive questionnaire assigned to teens
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