In the United States in the 1930s, women had their first taste of emancipation. As the feminist movement progressed, women gradually moved out of the home and into school and the workplace. Despite the rapid changes in society, attitudes towards sex education remain conservative and controversial. Against this backdrop, Oberlin College in Ohio was a pioneer in including sex education in its curriculum, especially for women, which was a breath of fresh air at the time.
In a spacious classroom at Oberlin College, the sun shines through the high window on the faces of every female student. A newly introduced slide projector is set up in the classroom, and the teacher is preparing to present a detailed diagram of the female reproductive system.
"Ladies, what we're going to learn today is about ourselves." The teacher, a middle-aged woman, spoke firmly and gently, and she turned on the slide projector.
The pictures are shown one by one, and the students' eyes reflect a variety of emotions: curiosity, confusion, and even a hint of fear.
"Please don't think it's a taboo." The teacher continued, "It is the right of each of us to know our bodies. ”
A student named Amy raised his hand and asked, "Teacher, do we really need to know this?" I mean, our family and future husband shouldn't be..."
The teacher smiled and replied, "Amy, you asked a good question. But, tell me, how can we make an informed decision if we don't even understand our own bodies? ”
Next, the teacher talked about the menstrual cycle, explaining the process of menstruation, ovulation and conception. The students began to take notes, and the atmosphere gradually livened up.
"What about contraceptive methods?" Another student, Susan, asked.
The teacher nodded and switched to the next slide, which showed different contraceptive methods. She explained the principles and effects of each method, encouraging students to think about their own health and choices.
As the course progressed, the female students began to participate more confidently in discussions, discussing their doubts, sharing their feelings, and even starting to talk about their dreams and future.
As the last slide ended, the classroom was filled with a silent moment of thought. The teacher put away the equipment and looked at the group of students who were about to end the course with a smile on his face.
"Remember, knowledge is power. Knowing yourselves, it is respecting yourself, and it is also the right you give yourself. Her words echoed in the classroom.
The students left the classroom one by one, their expressions more determined and confident than when they came in. Amy and Susan smiled at each other as they went out, as if they saw new realizations and possibilities in each other's eyes.
That class was not only a sex education class, but also an enlightenment of women's self-awakening. This move by Oberlin College not only teaches women how to understand their bodies scientifically, but more importantly, it inspires women's awareness of self-worth and rights. The stories of these female college students are a valuable asset in the history of women's education, reminding us that the progress of any era is inseparable from the respect for knowledge and the maintenance of individual rights. Through this class, they learned not only physiological knowledge, but also the courage to dare to make decisions about their lives. Every woman should be the master of her own destiny, which is a sign of the progress of the times and a significant scale of social civilization.