Parents Are Primary Educators

One of the foundational principles of the Abstinence Clearinghouse is our belief that parents are the primary educators of their children. The rights of parents as such have been under attack for years. However, tensions from the power struggle between teachers and parents are bubbling to the surface in the wake of the pandemic.

The Washington Post recently published a perspective piece titled, "Parents claim they have the right to shape their kids’ school curriculum. They don’t." Authors of the article, Jack Schneider and Jennifer Berkshire, said, "To turn over all decisions to parents, then, would risk inhibiting the ability of young people to think independently." Randy Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, the largest US teachers union, retweeted the article writing, "Great piece on parents rights and #publicschools."

Opponents to parental rights want to be the ones controlling what values children learn from a young age, rather than the children's parents. However there is no one better equipped to make decisions regarding a child's education than his or her parents. As the Creator, God entrusted each child to parents to love, care for and guide them.

To read more about what the Abstinence Clearinghouse believes, click here.