Since the beginning of time... the history of sex ed

Alright, I know history can be a little... for lack of a better word, UGH, but this will be fun, trust!

I am currently paging through a book entitled Twentieth-Century Sexuality: A History by Angus McLaren. Although I am analyzing the here and now curriculum in BC, I wanted to gain a contextual background of where did sex education begin.

Many moons ago, there was a little 'scare' people liked to refer to as venereal disease (now known as STI). Well, this is how it all started. The subject matter was essentially hygiene. You know, brush your teeth, comb your hair, and oh! watch out for venereal diseases. How? Don't have unprotected sex.

Early twentieth century
The age of innocence? And/or the age of planning to spill milk on the carpet and pull his sister's hair?
Innocence. Pffft. "Children are naturally innocent" is an interesting concept to me. I mean, okay, they are ignorant to sexual knowledge, yes, but STILL.

This book discusses the old school idea that masturbation is perilous. Apparently, this is one of the first concerns that pertains to a child: the masturbating child. No one wants that!
The majority of physicians thought it was safer to adopt a conservative position surrounding sexual issues. This does not imply that masturbation is wrong; however, it does imply that society THINKS it is wrong, and thus doctors are conforming to the norm.

THIS IS INTERESTING.... aka, a tad ?!
So physicians adopted a conservative stance... alright?
Circumcision was popularized in the US in the 20th century in part because "doctors viewed the operation as a way of preventing self-abuse" (McLaren, 1999, p. 26). SAY WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT???

This seems like a small breach of human rights, no? Where is the freedom of choice in THAT?!
So, as to be expected by THIS sexpert *points to self*, the early sex education times were times of restriction, caution, and fear. They viewed any knowledge of pleasure in the genitals as immoral, vice, unnatural, and unspeakable. Children were left puzzled, curious, and ultimately worried (p. 24).

Enter Havelock Ellis... Mr. Wait a second, what's so bad about exploring the body?

More on this later. I have class.

I leave you with this:
Like the article I wrote for the paper last week, it is not that masturbation is bad, but one needs to regulate. Like anything. An apple a day. Touch it periodically... fine. NOT in church, NOT at Aunt Cindy's dinner party, and NOT on the school playground. We should teach children that their bodies are THEIRS only and they have the right to know themselves; however, it should be a private thing.

Like I always say: Sex can wait. Masturbate! (PS. this genius statement is from SNL. I can't give myself credit, even though I REALLY want to).