The core curriculum focused on stripping away the mystery of changing bodies. Materials from 1991 detailed:
It is important to remember that in 1991, the internet was not yet accessible to the public, and information was primarily disseminated through:
"We made sure to involve parents and the community in the process," she explained. "We provided them with the same information we were teaching the students, so they could reinforce the messages at home." The core curriculum focused on stripping away the
Belgium’s progressive stance on comprehensive sex education in the early 1990s laid the groundwork for modern European frameworks. Today, Belgium is consistently recognized for its low rates of teenage pregnancy and STIs relative to global averages. This success is directly linked to the decision made decades ago—by policymakers, educators, and media producers—to provide young boys and girls with clear, unvarnished access to factual information.
Released in Belgium in 1991, Sexuele Voorlichting was filmed in the Dutch language. Unlike American educational media of the same era—which heavily relied on clinical textbooks, basic animations, or abstract line drawings—this production utilized live amateur models alongside watercolor diagrams. Today, Belgium is consistently recognized for its low
This legal shift represented a nationwide commitment to a new, evidence-based, and rights-respecting approach to youth development, aligning with the World Health Organization's definition of sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. It was within this bold, pioneering context that the film "Puberty: Sexual Education for Boys and Girls (1991)" was created.
Introducing the concept of contraception and safe sex practices to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Unlike American educational media of the same era—which
| Trope | Narrative Example | Internalized Belief | Real-World Harm | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | The male lead repeatedly pursues the disinterested female lead until she "gives in." | "No" means "try harder." | Normalization of sexual coercion and stalking. | | Jealousy as Proof of Caring | A character becomes angry/possessive when their partner talks to someone else. | "If they don't get jealous, they don't love me." | Controlling behaviors, emotional abuse, isolation. | | The Boundary-Breaking Grand Gesture | A character publicly confesses or interrupts an important event to "win back" their ex. | Boundaries are obstacles to be overcome. | Disrespecting privacy, harassment, public pressure. |
To gain a deeper understanding of the 1991 Belgian program, we spoke with a former educator who was involved in implementing the curriculum.
Highly visual brochures often distributed by organizations like Sensoa (in Flanders) or French-speaking family planning centers. These used illustrations to make sensitive topics approachable for 11-to-14-year-olds.
In the early 1990s, sex education was still a relatively taboo topic in many parts of the world. The approach to teaching children about human reproduction, relationships, and sexuality varied greatly depending on cultural, social, and economic factors. While some countries had made significant progress in incorporating sex education into their school curricula, others had yet to take concrete steps.