The town of Helena, Montana is buzzing with tension as a proposed program for sex-education seems to be bringing about controversy. The proposed plan integrates sexual education in the curriculum for students as young as nursery. Fuelling the fire is the content of said program, which offers what some parents believe to be inappropriate information to children simply too young for the topic.

The program is part of a 62-page agenda for an entire nutrition and health curriculum. The controversy arises from the segments pertaining to sexual education. The curriculum begins in nursery, where children are taught words such as vagina, breasts, uterus, nipples, penis, scrotum, and testicles. The program continues on through high school where students are taught about erotic art, and sexual performance anxiety. Along the way, first graders will learn about same-gender relationships, while fifth-graders will be taught about the all forms of sex, including vaginal, oral, and anal.

While supporters of the program argue that the curriculum is scientific-based and is a necessary course in our current society, critics believe that this information is inappropriate for children to learn these lessons in schools. When the issue goes up for discussion, many fear that, if it passes, there will be a need for lawsuits or impeachment of school board officials. Residents believe that passing a proposal met with such obvious aversion from the community would be a blatant misuse of power.

Although personally in support of the issue, board trustee Terry Beaver asserts, “It appears to be a strong divisive issue. I think when the community is that strongly divided we need to take a further look at it." However, the plan looks to go ahead with some strong backing from the board. Many of the board members believe that regardless of their decision about what to include in the curriculum, there would have always been people that disagreed.