(also known as Puberty: Sexual Education for Boys and Girls ) is a 1991 Belgian documentary short film directed by Ronald Deronge . Produced by Studio Landstar Films, it was originally released in Dutch but gained international attention due to its highly explicit and un-idealized approach to sexual education. Content Overview
: As young people become sexually active, they need accurate information about safe sex practices and contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Hormonal shifts influence emotions
: Detailed discussions on menstruation, wet dreams, and erections. Sexual Behavior : Information on masturbation and the act of lovemaking. Family Planning and appetite. Normalizes mood swings
Videos from this era, specifically those aimed at "Boys and Girls" during puberty, generally followed a specific structure: heightened interest in romance/sex
The documentary utilizes a cross-sectional approach, showing both male and female subjects. It depicts physiological changes such as the growth of pubic hair, the development of breasts, the widening of hips, the deepening of the voice, and the production of semen (wet dreams). By presenting these changes in a clinical setting—often utilizing footage of nude individuals standing against neutral backgrounds—the film stripped away the sexualized context often found in media. It taught viewers to view these bodies as functional biological machines rather than objects of shame or desire. This clinical distance was a deliberate pedagogical choice, designed to reduce anxiety among young viewers who might otherwise worry that their development was abnormal.
Treating adolescent romance as a vital developmental stage rather than just "practice" for adulthood.
Sexual education is an integral part of a young person's development, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and health. The benefits of comprehensive sexual education include: