The conservative Christian group Hillsong has launched a controversial new youth program "Shine", aimed, it says, at "promoting self-esteem" in teenage girls considered to be "at risk", due to personal problems or behavioural issues.
The program purports to teach "practical, life-equipping" skills, but then lists some of these as the application of makeup, including nail polish, how to dress "properly", and improving posture by walking with books balanced upon one's head.
Unsurprisingly, the program has angered teachers, adolescent development experts and parent groups who query the focus on beauty, etiquette and deportment lessons.
They argue that this approach is wholly ineffective in addressing the needs of troubled young women. They are also concerned that it reinforces sexist gender stereotypes.
Despite Hillsong's claims that the Shine program is now "community-based, not religious-based", critics say it represents a Trojan Horse to bring conservative Christian values to secular schools. It is well known that Hillsong opposes the teaching of evolution, and encourages staunch anti-abortion and anti-homosexual beliefs.
Sui-Linn White, president of the Hills Teachers Association, told the July 26 Sydney Morning Herald that a number of teachers over the past few years have raised concerns about Shine. "It is the gender stereotypes that they are imposing. The focus on skin care, nail care, hair care — it objectifies women ... These are things women fought against for centuries — they've got no place in a public school", White explained.
Shine is already being run in at least 20 NSW public schools, as well as in numerous community programs, private schools and within the juvenile justice system. Furthermore, Hillsong is receiving public funding for its Shine program.
The controversy over the program exposes broader questions about the role of religion in public schools.
Former Australian Democrats Senator Lyn Allison has spoken out against the Howard-era policy of giving $165 million for school chaplaincy and pastoral programs in public schools, and called on the Rudd government to restore secular principles in public schools. In many schools, chaplains who have no formal training or qualifications are regularly addressing assemblies, providing counselling services and leading prayers.
Of equal concern is the fact that this funding is not accessible for non-religious, qualified counselling services. This means that the funding is discriminatory, forcing non-religious students and students of alternative faiths to either accept support within a Christian framework, or go without.
In a June 11 interview with ABC Radio, Allison criticised the $20,000 still being made available to schools to fund a chaplain, saying it creates an incentive to replace qualified counsellors altogether.
There is no question of the real need for young people — male and female, queer and straight — to be able to access support in dealing with the multitude of challenges they may face. But this support must be in the form of qualified, professional counselling services that have no ulterior motive to impose conservative, sexist and homophobic views upon young people.
[Laura Ealing and Tom Cameron are members of Newcastle Resistance.]