Completely OT but sort of related to the modern world we find ourselves in and the question of will these things fade away. I sometimes watch Homes Under the Hammer. Ever since its inception they referred to the main bedroom as the 'master' bedroom. Then a couple of years back or so I noticed they were using the word 'principal' instead. A quick Google informed me that estate agents were starting to use principal instead of master as the latter has connotations with slavery or something like that i.e. 'the master's bedroom.'
However I've noticed on more recent episodes they seem to have reverted to using the phrase master bedroom. So although that's just one relatively insignificant thing, maybe it does show common sense sometimes prevails?
Perhaps you can post the link to this article that you found?
You sure you weren't watching tha US version?
Or reading a US newspaper?
On the issue of the NHS guidance, it seems reasonable to me, and far better than the absent Education department's guidance.
Teachers do need guidance, not just because of their own lack of experience with such issues, but also to provide them with a degree of protection.
It's very much like the nonsense policy to ban mobile phones from schools, it's a pointless excercise because schools already have the authority to set their own policy. And the majority of schools either ban them outright, or only allow their use in breaktimes.
On the issue of the NHS guidance, it contains a section of advice (and it is all only advice, schools still have the authority to set their own policy)
if there is a risk of hostility from the parents. like prescribing contraceptives to under 16's, normally the parents would be involved, but there are times when the NHS, the doctor or the teacher/headteacher can seek other routes throught the issue, and ignore the guidance.
