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Sensitivity
training unfair
A bill that is being considered by Governor
Davis and has been approved by the California
State Assembly will recommend foster parents
to undergo sensitivity training to better
serve gay, lesbian and transgender youths.
If a child feels that his or her foster
parents are inadequate in meeting these
sensitivity needs relating to sexual orientation,
expression or behavior, then the child has
the opportunity to call a toll free number
and turn the foster parents in.
The bill will also require the California
Department of Social Services to actively
recruit gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
foster parents for these youths and it will
also prohibit the state from not allowing
individuals that are HIV/AIDS positive to
become foster parents.
Foster parents better get used to letting
the foster kids run around in drag because
if they choose to instead teach the children
to adhere to the norms of society then there
will be consequences to pay.
We all know that it is not politically correct
to say that this bill is ridiculous, that
is probably why many organizations are not
saying much about it, but this bill is ridiculous.
All children need sensitivity regardless
of their sexual orientation and foster parents
should provide that general sensitivity.
However, how fair is it to force foster
parents to take part in something that they
may not believe in the morality of?
Individuals already have to meet a number
of requirements in order to become foster
parents. And although there are some foster
parents who do it for the money or other
reasons, it is safe to say that the majority
of parents who decide to foster a child
do so because they want to share their love
and help a child in need. The existing requirements
and these intentions make “sensitivity training”
redundant and unnecessary.
Furthermore, expecting parents are not required
to take any sort of parenting class let
alone “sensitivity training.” They do the
best they can with what they know. Foster
parents are required to meet general criteria
and they undergo checks and inspections
by social services to insure the safety
of the foster children. The sensitivity
classes may alienate and push away prospectively
good foster parents who do not feel the
need to participate in such training.
Although we usually hear about bills and
acts that work towards ensuring the rights
of people who go against traditional values,
this bill is a measure of intolerance toward
people who do hold traditional values.
Now we just have to wait and see whether
Governor Davis will support the attack on
traditional values or stand up for what
remains of them.
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