The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to review a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals involving an explicit sex survey given to elementary school kids, letting stand a ruling against parental rights.
The case, brought by seven California parents, originated when a school counselor gave 7- to 10-year-old students a survey containing sexually explicit questions. The kids were asked how often they touch their private parts, how often they think about sex and how often they think about touching other people's private parts. The questions encouraged the children to talk about feelings related to having sex and obsessive thoughts about the subject.
Many parents objected to the survey -- which was given without parental consent -- but the 9th Circuit ruled that parents' rights are relinquished when kids enter the building.
Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, said while the denial is not a surprise -- the court receives more than 8,000 petitions each year and hears only a handful -- it means parents must be acutely aware of state laws governing such issues.
"Parents have the primary role of raising and training their children, especially when it comes to topics such as human sexuality," he said. "State legislatures should enact laws that protect the role of parents."
