Friday, March 7, 2008

Old sex education films for teenagers

Today, I was cruising around Internet Archive, which is an online library, and found some old health education films. My interest in the historical perspective of menstruation, sparked by last night's talk by Professor Barbara Brookes, led me to a couple of wonderful old films.

The first film which comes from 1953, is for young girls and talks about menstruation. Note that it is very unwise to go square dancing when you have your period. It is also recommended that you "wear your prettiest dress and be your most attractive self".










http://www.archive.org/details/MollyGro1953

The health education film for boys (1957). Note how the boys are 'allowed' to masturbate but girls only get to wear a romantic dress!










http://www.archive.org/details/AsBoysGr1957

What differences in approach and information do you see between the two films? Would you use them for sex education today?

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