Sex Education in the Sixties!
The hush, hush sex education during my childhood
I grew up sheltered from any information that might not be appropriate for my young years. My parents were old-fashioned and felt it was necessary to protect us from adult pro-creation activities. It was considered too much information for children in their formative years.
Sex education was the responsibility of the educational system when the time was right. So we were unlike the present day children who know more than some of us adults.
The only way we learned how babies were born was by ‘fake news’ . Our friends would huddle together and exchange information they picked up from some unreliable source and then embellish it. For instance:
Do not kiss any boys as one could get pregnant
Do not sleep on the same bed as a man, as again, you could get pregnant!
The how to have sex was quite hilarious now that I think about it. Only mothers and fathers were allowed. Do not even think about it before marriage😂. How it was done, when it was done was all hearsay. no facts involved! I listened. 🫢
When we did get “official” education, it was by means of charts of the anatomy of a man and a woman. I was in a co-ed school and needless to say the girls were very embarrassed while the guys laughed and made fun of the parts of a woman! Guess they did not look closely at theirs.
Times have changed!
Young folk today view sex differently from my era. There are no limitations or boundaries. They get their information from the internet and social media. During my teen years, movies were sensored and rated unsuitable for children. They are now too, but that does not mean that the internet or social media are restricting teens or young children from accessing information that is x-rated. Parents are forced to monitor the accounts of their children to eliminate unsuitable material for young minds. They also have to be mindful to eliminate predators who tempt young children for sexual activities and sex-trades. Not all parents have the time to make sure their children are surfing safe sites.
I am not a prude, but I do think that engaging in sexual activities like one changes clothing, cannot be good for lasting relationships. I was raised Catholic, hence it was hammered into my brain that sex should be had between man and wife after marriage. Sadly, the wife had to be a virgin, but the man was never questioned about his past.
So I say teens and adults should be cautious about the act and not use it as an addiction. It would reduce the number of child-pregnancies, single parenting, abortions and rape. We need to treat each other with respect.
I am just an old woman concerned about the future generations.
Sex education works best when it’s:
Taught by trained professionals.
Taught early and often throughout the lifespan.
Includes both information and skill-building activities.
Evidence-informed.
Inclusive of LGBTQ+ youth.
Rooted in anti-racism practices.
Trauma-informed.
Adapted to the needs of the community.
From Planned Parenthood
