Tennessee’s public schools could soon be required to teach that the keys to a successful life include following a proper sequence of events: high school, job or higher education degree, marriage and then children.
It’s a proposal advancing inside the state’s Republican-dominant Legislature and similar to others moving in several states this year.
In Tennessee, the Senate passed the legislation 25-5. It has several steps remaining in the House.
Republican proponents argued the so-called success sequence could help lift people out of poverty by delaying life events, such as getting married before having children.
Democratic opponents contend the instruction could indoctrinate students about personal choices while discouraging students with a single parent.
