Lesson 001: Why is Sex Taboo?
Update: 2025-06-11
Description
In this episode, we’re diving deep into why sex has long been considered a taboo topic in America. We'll explore the historical roots of sexual repression, from ancient confessions to postal obscenity laws, and how different cultures around the world approach sex education and sexuality. We'll also break down the numbers — are societies that embrace open conversations about sex actually safer and happier?
Get ready for a history, geography, and math lesson as we uncover how stigma took hold and what it means for us today.
📚Resources:
Historical Sources
- Augustine, Confessions (387–400 CE)
- The Comstock Act (1873), U.S. Postal Obscenity Law
- Bowen v. Kendrick, 487 U.S. 589 (1988) — Supreme Court ruling on the Adolescent Family Life Act (AFLA)
Books & Media
- Esmé Louise James, Kinky History: A Rollicking Journey through Our Sexual Past, Present, and Future
- PBS American Experience, “The Pill and the Sexual Revolution”
U.S. Sex Education Data
- Guttmacher Institute, Sex and HIV Education Policies
- Planned Parenthood, Parent-Reported Data on Sex Education
International Sex Education Models
- Sweden: UNESCO, Sweden's Comprehensive Sex Education Programs
- Germany: European Expert Group on Sexuality Education Report on Germany
- Netherlands: Rutgers, Comprehensive Sex Education in the Netherlands
Countries with Restrictive Sexuality Policies
- 🇮🇷 Iran: The Guardian, Reports on Sexuality Laws in Iran
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Watch, LGBT Rights in Saudi Arabia
Adolescent Health Data
- UNICEF, Adolescent Health Reports
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