Oral Sex: Merriam-Webster's Definition Under Scrutiny

Shorty after a parent-complaint was aired to the Oak Meadows Elementary School within the K-8 Manifee Union School District, the classroom copies of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary were pulled from all the classroom shelves. This apparently transpired when their child 'happened' on the definition for "oral sex." This complaint ultimately resulted in the entire school district pulling all copies of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary from all of its schoolrooms.

A County Divided Over the Definition Of "Oral Sex"

This unconsoled decision was made by the Manifee Union County School District without the school boards consent leaving the school districts county divided by concerns expressed by First Amendment experts and even some parents who are also troubled by this, where on the contrary there are many parents that gave praise for the districts decision.

School District Forms A Committee Over Sexual Terms Such As "Oral Sex"

Menifee Union School District is assembling a committee to examine whether dictionaries covering the definitions for sexual-erotic terms and if they should be permanently banned from the school district's schoolrooms. The committee's mission statement is: "will determine the extent to which the challenged material supports curriculum, the educational appropriateness of the material and its suitability to the age level of the students."

First Amendment Experts Concerned Over School Districts Banning Of Dictionaries With Terms Such As "Oral Sex"

The concerns of First Amendment experts contend that it raises issues of free-speech and anti-censorship. Supportive parents concur, and deemed one parents complaint and the resulting ban an overreaction.

Parents Dismayed Over Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Definition Of "Oral Sex"

The dismay of the opposing parents is aired by the argument that the collegiate-level dictionary is inappropriate for younger children and that the existing $24 Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary; presently under lock & key, could be sold or exchanged for other dictionaries to replace the collegiate version.

Questionable Circumstances Of The Child Who Found The Definition Of "Oral Sex"

My concern is the credibility of the child and how they "so happened" on the definition of the term "Oral Sex." If I recall correctly as I peer into my past as an attendee of both a parochial and private school-child being off in some lone corner of the classroom or a library with a small band of little rouges being "educated" by some other child who's unlawful carnal knowledge-like vernacular, and mind you; a child like most of the other dirty little birds, including me who came from homes where some parents were pillars of the community and most resided in affluent neighborhoods.

We all were "Snickering like a school-child" as they say. If I also remember correctly, I never had my nose in any dictionary unless Sister Bernadette threw it at me and instilled me with devote wisdom as to that was the book in which to use to find a particular word.

On further thought I can recollect many other people I know making same like statements of their wonder years growing-up and I beg to differ if anyone says that they did not partake of peek-a-boo dirty-word dictionary. If you claim such you live in a box; down by the river, alone, with a vernacular that of Jodie Foster in the film "Nell." Just don't lie!

The Irony Of The California Lifestyle And Dictionary Terms About "Oral Sex"

The irony I find in this is that you have this diverse big city since the 60's called San Francisco, a gay activist mecca. California's San Fernando Valley also makes home to the porn-film making industry. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger back in 2006 vetoed a bill and terminated "gay experiences" from California school textbooks.

I am not suggesting that we should encourage our children to migrate to California to become gay porn-film thespians? What I am asking and raising concerns about is to how degree, and to what we teach to our own children in our home first.

Subjectively I think that the issues of the gay life-style should be taught to at home, and as far as schools are concerned should it ever be conceived; that it be an opt-out option. There are some issues a parent is better-suited for educating a child of and or to "squash" certain "questionable" subject matter.

This article is not about homosexuality in textbooks, or terms like "Oral Sex" in dictionaries,
however when people start to overreact about a term in a credible, not to mention a widely used and respectable book such as the Merriam-Webster Dictionary getting banned from classrooms things are starting to go in directions from which I would much rather take the road less traveled. My only suggestion to parents that object to this decision and others like them concerning a books content is that they remember to bring dry matches, press their brown shirts, and do not forget to take your child's cell phone under your cellular-plan as to intercept any 'sextexting' that is apparently an ever growing problem and so far out of most parents reach, not to mention uncontrollable in many cases. Burn the books instead; they are more easily accessible.

Sources: AVN
PE.com