Sex Education, 1936-1938: Seven (7) Public Health Booklets from the Wisconsin State Board of Health

Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1938. A group of seven (7) sex education booklets published by the Wisconsin State Board of Health between 1936 and 1938. Each addresses a unique aspect of the subject, and are published for specific audiences (e.g. "older boys", parents, or even more specifically in one case, for mothers). Three (3) of the booklets offer facts about venereal diseases (syphilis, gonorrhea, and others). It is fascinating to see how sex education has and has not changed over the years. Also provides interesting insight into gender roles in the 1930s. Take, for example, the checklist of traits boys are instructed to look for in a wife from the booklet, "Love In the Making": "The mother ideal"; "A healthy girl"; "A sound family heritage"; "A cheerful partner"; "A partner of skills-- skills of hand, of heart, of mind, of social relationships ... she will need to represent the family at its best"; and "A girl worthy to be the mother of fine children" (pp. 8-9). As Elizabeth Bennet would surely remark, such a woman would "certainly be a fearsome thing to behold"!

The booklets include:

"The Parent's Part". Madison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1936. Single vol. (9" by 6"), pp. 16, in original self wrps. Includes line drawn illustration showing a blind folded couple about to fall off a cliff with the caption, "The Kind of Preparation for Marriage Given By Parents of the Past Generation".

"Gonorrhea". Madison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1937. Printed bifolium (8.25" by 4").

"Syphilis". Madison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1937. Printed bifolium (8.25" by 4").

"Facts About Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Other Venereal Diseases". Madison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1938. Single vol. (6.25" by 3.5"), pp. 35, [1], in original printed yellow wrps.

Edson, Newell W. "Love in the Making: A Talk to Older Boys". Madison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1938. Single vol. (9" by 6"), pp. 12, in original printed green wrps.

Smith, Nellie M. "The Mother's Reply: A Pamphlet for Mothers". Madison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1938. Single vol. (9" by 6"), pp. 16, in original self wrps.

Williston Brown, Helen. "Child Questions and Their Answers: A Pamphlet to Aid Fathers and Mothers in the Instruction of Their Children on Sex and Parenthood". adison: Wisconsin State Board of Health, 1938. Single vol. (9" by 6"), pp. 12, in original self wrps.