While the year 1991 seems dated—lacking the nuance of gender identity, the complexities of modern dating apps, and the openness of queer pedagogy—its core message remains valid. Whether you call it "Sexuele Voorlichting" or simply "puberty class," the goal in 1991 was the same as it is today: to tell a terrified 12-year-old that their pimple-covered face, cracking voice, or unpredictable period is not a curse, but a sign of being perfectly, wonderfully human.
There is a nostalgia for the simplicity of it. Today, parents worry about smartphones, Pornhub, and sexting. In 1991, the biggest worry was finding a deodorant that worked or hiding a pad in your backpack. The materials from Sexuele Voorlichting represent a time when the biggest challenge was just understanding the biology.
: A large portion of the controversy stems from the participation of minors in a production featuring graphic nudity. In many modern contexts and jurisdictions, the methods used in the film are considered ethically problematic or illegal under contemporary child protection and media laws. Critics often describe the film as being highly inappropriate for its intended audience.
If you grew up with 1991-style sex ed, consider how far you’ve come. And if you’re looking for those old materials for research or nostalgia, check archives like the Internet Archive, university collections of educational films, or Dutch Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid . The past is a resource, not a roadmap.
In 1991, a typical sex education class for 12-year-olds in a public school (where it was taught at all) might include: