Kristent Ressurssenter has created a draft letter or email that parents can use to report their concerns and try to stop pride celebrations in kindergarten, by pointing out how this affects parental rights, the best interests of the child, and the kindergarten's statutory values.
Kindergartens exist for children, and it is the parents who have the primary responsibility for their children's upbringing. Therefore, kindergartens must support the home and take into account what parents believe is in the best interests of the child. Section 1 of the Kindergarten Act states that kindergartens must be based on a foundation of values rooted in Christian and humanistic heritage and tradition, and that activities must take place in understanding and cooperation with the home.
Parental participation is not just a right – it is a prerequisite for the work of the kindergarten. At the same time, sections 41–43 state that children should not experience exclusion, discrimination or distress, and that the kindergarten has an active duty to prevent and take action if such conditions arise. When pride celebrations are held without respect for the parents' beliefs, it can be experienced as offensive and exclusionary – both for the children and for their families. In such cases, it can be argued that section 41 has been violated, and that necessary measures are to include cancelling the pride celebrations and remove the pride flag.
This is how we interpret the legislation, and if kindergartens or kindergarten leaders choose to ignore the legal basis, parental rights and the best interests of the children, it may be necessary to take the matter further. Kristent Ressurssenter is also working to develop advice and support in such cases.
Here is our suggestion for a letter that can be used to request that pride celebrations and the use of pride flags be stopped in kindergarten:
To the head of [kindergarten name]
Concern and protest against pride celebrations in kindergarten
We, as parents of children at [kindergarten name], hereby wish to express strong concern and protest against the kindergarten's participation in the celebration of pride, including the hoisting of the pride flag and the use of associated symbolism in the kindergarten.
In our opinion, this violates several provisions of the Kindergarten Act, which will ensure a safe and inclusive kindergarten environment for all children - regardless of their values.
(Kindergarten Act § 1 and §2)
The kindergarten shall be built on a foundation of values rooted in the Christian and humanistic heritage and tradition. The kindergarten shall promote values such as equality, charity and responsibility for others – and the content shall be adapted to the child's age and development.
The Kindergarten Act gives parents the right to participate in the kindergarten's content and practices as they believe is best for their child:
«"The kindergarten shall, in cooperation and understanding with the home, meet the children's needs for care and play, and promote learning and education as a basis for all-round development." (§ 1)
A one-sided celebration of pride – which is closely linked to political activism and ideological influence – challenges this balance. Many children, especially those from Christian or traditional backgrounds, may experience this as unsafe or alienating. It can create exclusion and a feeling that their values are not respected.
The Storting does not celebrate Pride, as it is considered a political event. We share this view, and expect our position to be respected and upheld.
Kindergarten Act Section 41, Section 42 and Section 43)
The psychosocial environment in kindergarten has zero tolerance for exclusion and discrimination. Children who are raised by conservative, religious or have parents who, for other philosophical beliefs, do not want the ideological influence of politicized symbols, will consistently experience exclusion and discrimination when celebrating pride, or by using pride flags in kindergarten. As a wise reminder, it should be stated that the law has zero tolerance for any form of revenge or retaliation against children for any reason.
« The kindergarten shall not accept violations such as exclusion, bullying, violence, discrimination and harassment »
The kindergarten should therefore not promote one value position over others in matters concerning identity and views on life. Pride marking and the use of pride flags is not a neutral act, and the population is very divided in its views on its symbolism and use in kindergartens and schools. We do not want our child to be exposed to pride and experience discrimination and exclusion, and the kindergarten must act on this.
« When a child or the parents say that the child does not have a safe and good kindergarten environment, the kindergarten must investigate the matter and, as far as there are suitable measures, ensure that the child receives a safe and good kindergarten environment..»
In this case, the legal requirement for action simply means that the kindergarten must refrain from celebrating pride or using pride flags, in order to safeguard the child's rights and the legal requirement of zero tolerance for discrimination.
Pride is closely linked to political activism, organizations and campaigns with clear attitude-forming messages. When this is brought into the kindergarten's domain, the limit of what the kindergarten has a mandate to promote is exceeded. It is not the kindergarten's role to influence children's attitudes on such issues through the use of symbols and campaign-oriented activities.
Below are excerpts from Foreningen fri (as the main organizer of pride in Norway) and Oslo Pride, which document that the goal of pride is “to change people's attitudes” and “influence society at large”". By definition,Pride is political, and the legal sections referred to must be applied.
We also remind you that children are not the property of the state, but primarily the responsibility and care of parents. This is clearly anchored in both Norwegian and international legislation:
Parents have the right and duty to make decisions in their child's personal affairs, and must ensure proper upbringing and education adapted to the child's needs and beliefs. When the kindergarten overrules or undermines the family's values, this balance is broken.
Care and education should take place in cooperation and understanding with the home, and it should showrespect for the individual's convictions. This includes not imposing markings on children that violate the child's and parents' views on life.
Education and training shall take into account the needs of each child and promote respect forthe rule of law and human rights. This requires neutrality in controversial issues and protection of minorities – including conservative ones, according to Article 2 of the ECHR.
States and also kindergartens do not have the right to override parents' faith-based or philosophical beliefs in education, upbringing and care. Ideological influence in kindergarten without parental consent clearly violates this right.
We therefore ask that:
We would like written feedback on how the kindergarten complies with these legal obligations.
With kind regards,
[Name of parent(s)]
[Contact information]
[Child's name]
