In 1991, as the Western world stood on the cusp of the widespread internet revolution, educational media took a distinctive form: the classroom VHS tape. The Dutch film “Sexuele Voorlichting” (Sexual Education) became a seminal, albeit controversial, resource for teaching puberty. Unlike its American or British counterparts, which often relied on abstract diagrams or clinical distance, the 1991 Dutch production was notable for its frank, unembarrassed visual approach. This essay examines how the film addressed puberty for boys and girls separately, its pedagogical techniques, and its legacy as a “portable” educational tool.
Mark hit the stop button. The VCR whirred, but the tape didn't eject. The screen went black for a second, then flashed a bright blue. In 1991, as the Western world stood on
