Your Child’s Right Not to Dissect

After school one day, my son seemed particularly upset and bothered. He had come racing off of the school bus in a huff, and sat on the front porch for a long while, his face puckered in a permanent pout. After asking what was wrong, I discovered the problem:

“I don’t wanna carve up a frog,” he sniffled. “Can I stay home sick tomorrow?”

Apparently his science teacher had gleefully informed them all that they were going to learn about biology by dissecting their own toad in class the next day. Needless to say, my son was not thrilled – and neither was I. Isn’t dissecting an innocent animal a rather archaic way of teaching?

It's OK to Say No

As a parent, the important thing for you to know is that your child DOES have rights. All because dissecting an insect or an animal is part of the teacher’s own plan doesn’t mean that it has to involve your own child. A child cannot be forced to harm an animal if it goes against their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs.

I drove my son to school the next morning and made a point to stop in and discuss the dissection with his science teacher. I informed the teacher exactly what I just stated above – that my son was not comfortable with the planned dissection as it “goes against his sincerely held religious and moral beliefs regarding the sanctity of life”, a right that protects my son under the First Amendment of the USA. The teacher was more than happy to provide a non-animal alternative. She contacted one of the teacher’s assistance and had the teacher’s assistant sit with my son in another room as he explored the inner workings of a toad by clicking on a computer screen. There are numerous different computer software programs and books that can teach your child how the body works, all without cutting up an innocent and harmless creature.

Talk to the Teacher

I was fortunate enough to have my son taught by a science teacher who was very receptive to his personal needs. If a teacher you encounter is not nearly as open to the idea of a non-animal dissection learning lesson, move on up the chain of command. Speak to the principal or VP. If that renders no results, speak to the school board and allow your child to “skip” that class for the day. There is no rhyme or reason to force your child to unwillingly dissect an animal for the purpose of “learning” when there are alternatives. As a matter of fact, your child showing kindness, and mercy to animals has been proven to extend to humans as well. Children with these feelings towards animals tend to be far more sympathetic, humane, and respectful to others.

Support your child and their rights – it’s your right as a parent to do so!

photo by Adrian Gtz