This black & white educational film above about "Adolescent Development" (a.k.a teen sex eduction) was released in 1953. It was likely made for education students or teachers, and produced to serve as a supplement by McGraw-Hill for the book Adolescent Development by Elizabeth B. Hurlock, Ph.D. This text attempted to provide a “complete and accurate picture of American adolescents and why they differ from adolescents in other cultures.”
When Frankie calls Barb for intimate personal advice, Barb asks "They did have sex-ed in your all-girls' school, didn't they?" (187).
Do you think Barb is kidding? Does she assume Frankie's school had sex-ed classes? Or does she assume that they did not?
Should schools have sex-ed classes, and if so, should they stick entirely to the biological mechanics and dangers? Or should they also include words of caution like these that Barb gives Frankie: "don't believe him if he says he loves you" (187)?
Question 1 I think she might have been being rhetorical or sarcastic, because a lot of the sex-ed back then was nowhere near adequate. Even today, it can still be lacking.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2 Schools should always have sex-ed classes. They should talk about the biology of it, but I see reason in talking about the relational aspects of sex too. There should be talks about consent, because even that gets brushed under the rug a lot, but it's very important. Not just from the people giving consent, but also from the people getting consent. You know? What does enthusiast consent look like? Schools don't talk about that, and it's kind of dangerous. 1 in 5 women experience sexual abuse. We should talk about things like that too. Or even how men can be abused. It's not a matter of discrimination. It can happen to anyone, that's why we need to talk about it. That's why it needs to be in schools.
Question 1: I think Barb was being sarcastic. I think she assumed Frankie had sex-ed in her school and was poking fun at Frankie.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think schools should offer sex-ed. However I think they should focus primarily on biology. The only things that should be talked about besides the biology of sex is consent and contraceptives.
Question one- Barb’s question seems sincere since she has never attended an all-girls boarding school. These types of establishments have a stereotype of being extremely prude and strict. It is easy to see why Barb might think Frankie’s questions stem from a lack of sex education.
ReplyDeleteQuestion two- Sex ed is an important subject for both genders to learn because of the many risks that come with the lack of knowledge. While some people have already learned sex ed from their parents, others who come from a stricter household may not have been taught anything. Without the proper knowledge of safe sex, STDs could be easily transmitted around, and pregnancy becomes a higher risk without the correct protection. In the sense of cautioning, like Barb, I believe that when taught appropriately, it teaches younger children not to be susceptible. Providing this advice can also form a bond of trust between the teacher and students.
I think it is too early for me. -Taylor Inselman :,(
DeleteShould schools have sex-ed classes, and if so, should they stick entirely to the biological mechanics and dangers? Or should they also include words of caution like these that Barb gives Frankie: "don't believe him if he says he loves you" (187)?
ReplyDeleteSchools should have sex-ed classes, but I don't believe that it should only be about the biological mechanics and dangers. While I don't think anything like that quote should be included, I think that talks about what it means for all parties to consent to sex and what you could/should do if it is something you do not want to do. Not only that, but there should also be talks about being pressured into sexual acts, and that not every person will have your genuine interest. I believe that by taking what Barb was saying and turning it into a more sophisticated and professional way of having those talks, it could be very beneficial to include in sex-ed.
Should schools have sex-ed classes, and if so, should they stick entirely to the biological mechanics and dangers? Or should they also include words of caution like these that Barb gives Frankie: "don't believe him if he says he loves you" (187)?
ReplyDeleteYes schools should have sex ed classes. They should include both the physical and emotional levels that come with relationships. Many kids don't have someone to educate them about relationships and what comes with them. If kids were taught in school I believe there would be less teen pregnancies.
I think Barb's statement was more of a mixture between joking and a genuine question. I think she was joking in the way that she knows Frankie has always been a good girl and may be naive in intimacy. I also believe that she could have been serious considering Frankie had a religious background and sometimes sex is frowned on as seen by the judgment towards single mothers.
ReplyDeleteYes schools should have sex ed and include the emotional aspect. People should know how to say no and that they shouldn't feel ashamed. Purity culture often tells people if they are intimate before marriage that they are filthy and immoral. Living with the guilt that they made a mistake and “ruined” themselves can have major implications on a female's mental state. As does letting one's guard down only to be hurt. In modern society, though people are more comfortable with sex there is still prejudice.
I do not think Barb was kidding. I think Barb was genuinely asking if Frankie had received sex education. Even today sex education is often lacking but especially in the past there was little to no sex education taught. I think that schools should have sex education, and I think there should be a varied range of topics. Only teaching biological mechanics does not provide an adequate knowledge base. To be effective sex education needs to be all encompassing, the good and the bad, that way it is up to the individuals to be aware of their actions and knowledgable of their bodies.
ReplyDeleteQ1: I do believe that she was joking or being sarcastic. Back then, sex ed was not really recognised or commonly used. It was expected that your virginity would go to your husband, so you would not need any education because sex was accepted in marriage.
ReplyDeleteQ2: I strongly believe that sexual education should be used in any and every school. I think that the teaching should primarily be biological, but that warnings of lustful words and people could also be included. I feel like that should generally be the parents' part of the education, even though it is good to go over the biological aspects with your kids as well.