In 1991, Belgium was navigating a complex social landscape. The country was in the midst of a federalization process, gradually transferring powers from the central state to the Flemish, French, and German-speaking Communities. Consequently, education—which had recently become a responsibility of the Communities—was experiencing administrative growing pains.
Culturally, Belgium in 1991 stood at a crossroads between traditional Catholic values and an increasingly liberal, secular society. While the AIDS epidemic (HIV) of the 1980s had forced a more open dialogue about safe sex, the early 90s remained a period where discussing sexuality could still be met with reticence, particularly in conservative or religious households. The "Pearl" commercial breaks (AIDS prevention ads featuring a young couple discussing condoms) were iconic at this time, signaling a shift toward open, safe-sex discourse on national television. puberty sexual education for boys and girls 1991 belgium
In 1991, Belgium did not yet have a federally mandated, standardized curriculum for sexual education. (This would not begin to crystallize until the "EVRAM" report in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which officially integrated "Emotional, Relational, and Sexual Education" into schools). In 1991, Belgium was navigating a complex social landscape
Instead, the framework was governed by the Schoolpact of 1958, which guaranteed freedom of education. Because the majority of Belgian schools were historically Catholic, the church still held significant sway over what could be taught. These hormones are already inside you, waiting to wake up
The education for girls in 1991 was heavily focused on the physiology of menstruation and the biological capacity for reproduction.
Your body is going to begin a journey. Between the ages of 10 and 14, a part of your brain called the hypothalamus sends a signal to the pituitary gland. This starts the production of hormones.
These hormones are already inside you, waiting to wake up.