Posted on 10/16/2007 7:25:18 AM PDT by Koblenz
A specialist in early childhood education in Oslo is giving new meaning to the term "sexual games," and stirring widespread debate.
Norwegians woke up Tuesday morning to news that a respected Oslo pre-school teacher, backed by child psychologists, thinks children should be allowed to openly express their own sexuality, not least through sex play and games in the local day care centers known as barnehager, or kindergartens.
The vast majority of Norwegians send their children from the age of one to the kindergartens, where they spend their days until they begin school at age six.
Pia Friis, leader of the popular Bjerkealleen Barnehage in Oslo and a well-known pre-school educator, told newspaper Dagbladet on Tuesday that children should be allowed to express their own sexuality at day care centers. She doesn't want to stifle what comes naturally.
Children, she said, should be able "to look at each other and examine each other's bodies. They can play doctor, play mother and father, dance naked and masturbate.
"But their sexuality must also be socialized, so they are not, for example, allowed to masturbate while sitting and eating. Nor can they be allowed to pressure other children into doing things they don't want to."
Friis said there's a lot of uncertainty around how day care center employees should handle children's sexuality.
"The only thing that is absolutely certain is that children, sooner or later, will play sexual games and examine each other at the kindergarten," she told Dagbladet. "When the personnel are uncertain, that passes on to the children, and it can be negative."
The issue is the topic of an article in the latest edition of the magazine published by Norway's industry association for privately owned kindergartens, PBL-nytt, and Friis thinks it's important. So do child psychologist Thore Langfeldt and family therapist Jesper Juul.
"Children must learn about sexuality, otherwise things can go very wrong," said Langfeldt. "Children can't object to something they don't know about, and children can more easily and readily report assaults if they already are aware of their own sexuality."
Juul conceded that "many are disturbed by children's sexuality, but I think it's important to put it on the agenda. That, in fact, is what we're doing."
While Norwegians are known for being liberal and tolerant, the issue already has sparked heated debate on radio programs and in online opinion forums. And some politicians are outraged, not least those on the conservative side.
"I thought at first that this was a joke," said Karin Ståhl Woldseth, a spokesman on family issues for the Progress Party.
"Sexual games don't belong in a kindergarten," she declared. "Children don't need more exposure to this in kindergartens. We think it will damage their health."
Sounds like Pia is building his Defense case for that stash of Child Pornography.
Bingo, Hildy.
The proper thing to do is to honestly answer their questions, within guidelines for their age, but tell them that sex is a private thing and it is for people much older than themselves. One can satisfy their curiosity without turning them into little satyrs.
Hey, there’s nothing new here. Remember when Auntie Mame sent Dennis to that school where classes were held in the nude under UV light? And when Mr. Babcock visited there they were playing “scatter the sperm”?
Pia Friis is a pedophile.
“Pia Friis is a pedophile.”
But I’m sure that she just thinks of herself as a Free Thinker.
It won’t be that long before some leftist here thinks, “What a great idea,” and introduces it, citing how “successful” it is in other countries. Scary. i’m so glad i homeschool.
If we wasn’t in the end times I suspect God after seeing what is going on in the world will be moving up the schedule.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.” (Luke 17:1-3)
I wish I could do photoshopping. Can anyone find a picture of a millstone?
As a person who winced at one Pia Zadora and her deliberate masquerade as a ditzy European woman, trying to please David Letterman, I should have known better. Also Pia Angeletti - actress.
A follow up on the life and career of the said "educator" is in order. Anyone with any commonsense or decency, would know under such circumstances,some poor little kids, would be dragged into this. Scarred for life.
I`m glad to inform you that the vast majority of us Norwegians are just as shocked as you over this horrible suggestion.
Just like their parents, our children should remember the childhood as a time of innocence, not sexual depravity.
Please excuse my bad English.
Thank you for the pic. I got a good bible lesson today. After actually seeing it, only the Lord Himself could come up with that illustration.
You are incorrect. They want them to masturbate together.
Please excuse my bad English.
That's nice to know, and it's what I would guess. Your English is very good. :-)
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