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Sex Hygiene Class Introduced
A revolutionary sex hygiene class is brought into Chicago public school by superintendent Ella Young. As an educator, she wanted to reform the public schools in the area and was also aware of the high rates of prostitution and STDs throughout Chicago so she created what is essentially the first sex education class for her schools. -
New Media and Education
Soldiers fighting in World War I bring home a wave of STDs, likely because they engaged in sexual tourism, where a foreigner engages in sexual activity in a new country usually with a prostitute. This brought more attention to the topic of sex education, so there was a need for education around the topic. At this time it came in the form of movies, such as the 1914 film Damaged Goods (Cont'd in the attached paper) -
First Birth Control Clinic
Margaret Sanger with the help of Emma Goldman opens the first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, New York. This decision was sparked by one of Sanger’s patients who died from an unplanned pregnancy. Sanger and other workers at the clinic were jailed not long after the opening. Sanger received help from others in the women’s movement and the medical community. -
Manual of Sex Education
A formal teaching method, the “Manual of Sex Education” is distributed in high schools. It was created at the request of the U.S surgeon general in order to decrease the numbers of venereal diseases. This manual made no mention of varying sexualities. Everything is from a heteronormative lens. -
Sex Education Classified as an Urgent Need
In the 20 years since the first published manual on HOW to teach sex ed, sex education programs have still not become widespread and are not available to everyone. Thus, the public health service recommends more programs and labels them as an “urgent need.” -
Family Life Education
The American School Health Association creates a nationwide family life education program, which is described by National Council on Family Relations as a focus on, “healthy family functioning within a family systems perspective and provides a primarily preventive approach.” At the time, the family that was being focused on was a nuclear white middle class family. There was no representation of non conforming families such as single parenting, adopted parenting, and few people of color. -
The Sex Education Series
Labeled "The Sex Education Series," the American Medical Association and the National Education Association publish five sexuality education pamphlets to be distributed to schools. These were the first of their kind but did not include much information on LGBTQ+ sexualities or sexual violence. Most of the focus was on how parents can teach sex ed and simple anatomical lessons like answering "where do babies come from?". -
Opposition Ensues
Opposition to sexuality education begins and is started by organizations such as the John Birch Society, Christian Crusade, Parents Opposed to Sex and Sensitivity Education, Sanity on Sex, and Mothers Organized for Moral Stability. What is important to know is that this is the start of public outrage for the morality of sex and sexuality. (cont'd on the attached paper) -
SIECUS Created
The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) was created by Mary Calderone. She wanted to provide accurate information about sex and sexuality. Now it provides children and adults with various types of information about sexuality education including books and journals. The motivation of Mary and SIECUS is to have people see that sex is a natural and a healthy part of life. -
Adolescent Family Life Act
The Adolescent Family Life Act is passed under the Reagan administration. The focus was on pregnancy prevention but through abstinence only education. Abstinence only education means no discussion on contraceptives since having sex before marriage is not seen as an option in these situations. -
Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Kindergarten-12th Grade was published. Currently the third edition, published in 2004, is being distributed and used as a resource by educators, parents, and organizations. These guidelines are much more detailed than the previous pamphlets and discuss things such as healthy relationships. -
Funding for Abstinence Only Education programs
Under the Welfare reform act and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, abstinence-only education programs gained over $100 million per year. Again, these programs do not allow for teachings about contraception or how to use it. (Cont'd on the attached paper) -
Call to Action
The U.S. Surgeon General at the time, Dr. David Satcher, releases a Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior. This effectively made the movement for positive sexual education a public health issue, bringing it to the public consciousness. This outlined effective strategies for intervention and productive ways to teach sex ed. -
Abstinence only education programs deemed medically inaccurate
Representative Henry Waxman reports that federally funded abstinence only education programs are seriously flawed and medically inaccurate. Representative Waxman was a champion for health related issues and stood for many women’s issues such as safe and legal abortions. Not only were the programs found to be medically inaccurate but make students feel shame or guilt about their actions and do not prepare them for the realities of sexual relations. (cont'd on the attached paper). -
Personal Responsibility Education Program
Congress funds the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). This funding provided $75 million a year to PREP to deliver accurate programs to teens. This includes education around abstinence and safe sex. The goal was to reduce unplanned teen pregnancy.
