Educational Media Reviews Online

Everyone remembers how they learned about sex and reproduction. Perhaps a movie shown in school was an introduction? This film examines how sex education took place in the United States, especially through educational films. These films, of which there are many clips, cover a variety of eras, from 1918 through the 1970s. Most are from the 1940s through 1960s, and offer a history of sex education as explained by producers as diverse as departments of health, police departments, and even Walt Disney. The majority of them – the films shown to World War II soldiers and the films shown to baby boomers as adolescents – provide a slice of history in a package of facts and morals. Although these sex ed films provide the bulk of the clips, visuals include shots of historical events footage, feature films, and magazines, too.

This film covers topics of venereal disease, masturbation, menstruation, homosexuality, and AIDS, explaining how they were taught in different decades. While the film clips may evoke giggles, fond memories, or “they taught them what?” reactions, this film is a good history of attitudes in the general public, the media, and the medical community. Inevitable change occurs, especially in the 1970s with the women’s movement. There is a nod to present times, as some of the younger people being interviewed mention looking up their questions on the Internet.

The technical aspects of Sex(Ed): The Movie are excellent. The film clips are in good shape, editing is seamless, and sound and visuals are inviting. Graphics provide facts and segues from one topic to another and effectively do their job through phrases and sentences. A number of talking heads appear, experts such as doctors and professors, and average people recounting their memories. There is some diversity in race and in age both in these experts and in the films, although the majority are white and middle class.

For high school or college students doing research on sex education, this film would be an ideal source. The clips are great primary sources. College classes in adolescent psychology, women’s studies, film studies, and 20th century history would also find it enlightening. Public libraries may want to add it to their collections for general viewing, as it is sure to invoke memories in viewers of their own experiences of learning about sex. Bonus features include two sex education films, from 1961 and 1976, and four deleted scenes.