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Swedish Sex Education Termed Miserable (Press, 19 July 1972)

This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.

Summary: Swedish Sex Education Termed Miserable (Press, 19 July 1972)

On 18 July 1972, Dr Maj-Briht Bergstrom-Walan, a sexologist from Sweden's Institute for Sexual Research, spoke at an international symposium on sex education held in Tel Aviv. She highlighted the disconnect between Sweden's reputation as a sexually progressive nation and the reality of its sex education programmes, which she described as "miserable" and often non-existent in universities and teachers’ colleges. Dr Bergstrom-Walan advocated for a shift in focus from a clinical approach to one that emphasises human connection and tenderness, underscoring the importance of teaching children about affection, warmth, and closeness from an early age. The symposium, attended by around 600 participants from 20 countries, was noted as the first of its kind. Dr Bergstrom-Walan challenged the perception that Sweden is free of sexual prejudices, pointing out that despite the country’s 15-year history of compulsory sex education and the availability of informative literature and films, societal attitudes towards certain sexual identities remain restrictive. She questioned the extent of Sweden’s openness, citing that individuals with "deviant" sexual habits, including homosexuals and transvestites, often face social stigma. She expressed concern over the lack of adequate knowledge among professionals such as teachers, doctors, and psychologists regarding sex education, noting that many questions submitted to newspapers indicated a significant demand for information, illustrating that misconceptions persist even in a supposedly enlightened society. Dr Vasco Bruto da Costa from Portugal, who presided over the International Union of School and University Health and Medicine, echoed her sentiments, asserting that sex education should be a vital part of the school curriculum to prevent harm to adolescents, such as the spread of venereal diseases. An Israeli participant, Dr Zvi Segal, remarked on the lifelong nature of sexual education, suggesting that the various stages of sexual development have profound impacts on human personality throughout life. The symposium sought to address these critical issues and advocate for a comprehensive, informed, and compassionate approach to sex education across societies.

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Publish Date:19th July 1972
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19720719_2_51.html