Sex Education and World War Two

Sex Education

As recruits entered the military, they were given a pamphlet or two giving them information about their sexual health.

The most commonly issued pamphlet was titled, "Sex Hygiene and Venereal Disease."

Pro-Stations

Sex Education films were also produced. They were shown to almost every soldier.

quotes from Sex Hygiene and Venereal Disease

"Guard against venereal disease by staying away from 'easy' women. Don't gamble your health away."

Sex Education cartoons were often featured in K Ration boxes.

"If you do not have self-control then do not fail to take safety measures."

Pro Stations, short for Prophylactic Station, were places soldiers were told to go if they got an STD.

As the war went on, the Allies opened collaborative treatment centers.

Review Game!

https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/60cc1d92-ab5f-49a5-8e9c-c4a034003b0d

American Soldiers in Europe

As the soldiers continued to liberate France, they continued to have sexual relations with many French women.

Americans were often blamed for the increased rates in STD's and in prostitution.

When U.S. Soldiers arrived in France, they were greeted by spontaneous kisses in the streets and sex.

GI's were basically mythical. They had luxuries the people of France could only dream of. They were well-fed, strong, and good-looking.

References

The reason that these diseases' cures improved so much was because they were affecting so many soldiers.

In 1943, a case of gonorrhea would take 30 days to cure, and a case of syphilis would take 6 months to treat.

Venereal Disease

By the following year, a case of gonorrhea could be treated in 5 days outside the hospital. A case of syphilis would take only a few weeks to remedy.

Medical Department. (2016). Venereal Disease and Treatment during WW2.

Retrieved from: https://www.med-dept.com/articles/venereal-disease-and-treatment-during-ww2/#

Reid, Fiona. (2013, May 23). What Soldiers Do; Sex and the American GI in World War II Retrieved from: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/books/what-soldiers-do-sex-and-the-american-gi-in-world-war-ii-france-by-mary-louise-roberts/2003931.article

In WWI, the American military lost thousands of men to STD's.

The primary diseases that caused problems for US soldiers were Syphilis and Gonorrhea.

In 1944, everyday, six hundred and six men couldn't fight due to a VD.

World War II U.S. Military Sex Education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://america.pink/world-war-military-sex-education.html

Friedman, H. A. (n.d.). VENEREAL DISEASE PROPAGANDA. Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://www.psywarrior.com.html

Venereal Disease and Treatment during WW2. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from https://www.med-dept.com

T. (n.d.). 10 Hilariously Bad Pieces Of Retro Sex Ed Advice For Teens. Retrieved March 17, 2016, from https://www.pinterest.com

From way back. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from https://www.pinterest.com

(n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com

Harness, J. (n.d.). 18 Delightfully Artistic Vintage STD Posters. Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://mentalfloss.com

Wikipedia. (9 July 2016). World War II U.S. Military Sex Education.

Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_U.S._Military_Sex_Education

Sex Education and World War Two

Caitlin Johns and Megan Dobson