(Editor's Notes by Christina Myer - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Ohio lawmakers are being asked to consider House Bill 269, the THRIVE Act. It’s the kind of sneaky legislation that sounds good on the surface, but even the merest of peeks reveals its flaws.

“Not later than January 1, 2026, the department of education and workforce shall develop a model success sequence and character education curriculum for developmentally appropriate instruction for grades seven through twelve. The model curriculum shall consist of the value of finishing high school, working full-time, getting married before having children, and instruction in the following character traits and fundamental values deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the United States,” reads a section of the bill.

It goes on to emphasize values such as “loyalty,” “patriotism,” “respect and care for human life,” “respect for religious faith, morality, wisdom and knowledge,” “respect for lifelong marriage, sexual fidelity within marriage, and sexual abstinence outside of marriage” … you get the idea; and it is careful to note that “The department may accept federal OR PRIVATE FUNDS” to help school districts set up the curricula.

Other gems in HB 269 are sprinkled throughout the curriculum requirements. Among my personal favorites are “In grades kindergarten through six, instruction in personal safety and assault prevention,” and later, specifically requiring that sexual violence prevention education for older students absolutely may not make referrals to abortion or abortion-related services.

We can only hope the sexual assault prevention curriculum is heavy on consent, impulse control and respect; and lacking any whiff of victim-blaming.

But then it gets back to this “success sequence” and “character education,” and starts in again on “Educators with experience in teaching character education and content deeply rooted in United States history and tradition,” and “fundamental values.”

It even dictates what students must learn BEFORE they take courses involving “the study of social problems, economics, foreign affairs, United Nations, world government, socialism and communism.”

Later, HB 269 says “The board of education of a school district may adopt a policy to make the school premises available for after-school instruction programs provided by third parties that instruct pupils in the justifications for the success sequence and character education curriculum” … BUT, that “The board may deny approval to any group that proposes instruction in subject matter that is inconsistent with justification of the success sequence and character traits …”

Ah. There it is.

If you didn’t already have alarm bells going off, that last bit should have done it.

Don’t get me wrong. There are elements of HB 269 that make sense, and shouldn’t be lumped in with this kind of grooming. But the parts of it that make it the THRIVE Act should be disturbing to anyone who understands the coded language being used — and knows that there IS no guaranteed success sequence in this country. (Or shouldn’t be, anyway).

The THRIVE Act is the kind of legislation that gets support from organizations such as the American Family Association, which tries to serve “as a firewall between biblical values and those who seek to destroy America …”

I’m certain those who are sponsoring the legislation have their hearts in the right place, but the language throughout is too problematic. It’s possible to personally agree with every word in the bill and still understand it’s not appropriate for requirement in public schools.

I hope lawmakers do go over this with a fine-toothed comb and come to the same conclusion.

***

Meanwhile, Sunday is Father’s Day — a day that gives me an opportunity to thank God I had a father who taught me how to ask questions, think critically (and then make a career out of writing about it). I am fortunate to be able to ask myself “What would Dad have thought about …” and not only have clear answers most of the time, but know it’s a good guidepost to be headed in the right direction.

But this day isn’t just about men who are biological fathers and followed a magic “success sequence.” It’s about all the men who love and protect the young people in their lives while leading them to be better versions of themselves. It doesn’t matter how they got to that point. Thank you — all of you. And happy Father’s Day!

Christina Myer is executive editor of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She can be reached via e-mail at cmyer@newsandsentinel.com.