What Must We Teach Our Children Before They Can Read?

MISHNAH. Course material and instruction shall emphasize that the pupil has the power to control personal behavior. Pupils shall be encouraged to base their actions on reasoning, self-discipline, sense of responsibility, self-control, and ethical considerations, such as respect for oneself and others. Course material and instruction shall teach pupils to not make unwanted physical and verbal sexual advances and how to say no to unwanted sexual advances and shall include information about verbal, physical, and visual sexual harassment, including without limitation nonconsensual sexual advances, nonconsensual physical sexual contact, and rape by an acquaintance. The course material and instruction shall contain methods of preventing sexual assault by an acquaintance, including exercising good judgment and avoiding behavior that impairs one's judgment. The course material and instruction shall emphasize personal accountability and respect for others and Pupils shall be taught that it is wrong to take advantage of or to exploit another person. [Actual language of 2003 Illinois legislation.]

GEMARA. Reb Johannan ben Cain said in the name of Rove Karl, "A child should have no knowledge of such matters. It would be better if they went about unaware of how to defend their purity." Reb Baruch HaBama said, "Let them know what they need to know and no more."