Controversial ‘growing Up’ Sex Films Aimed To Help... (Press, 2 May 1980)

In May 1980, the controversy surrounding the educational use of a series of films titled 'Growing Up' aimed at teenagers gained significant attention in New Zealand. The debate was reignited by Miss Patricia Bartlett, the national secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, who expressed outrage that the National Film Library had acquired films exploring sexual perversions for potential school use. Despite these claims, the Department of Education confirmed that the films, which carried a "T.S.P." (tertiary and special) rating, would only be shown to tertiary students or specially designated groups like social welfare officers, and not to schoolchildren. The 'Growing Up' series, produced by Film Australia, consists of six films designed to provoke discussion about adolescent sexual behaviour and societal expectations, rather than serve as direct educational tools. The films focus on personal experiences of young people and include titles such as 'Brad', 'Jenny', 'Wendy', 'Kerry', 'Weekend', and 'Disco'. These films each last around ten minutes and tackle topics like teenage homosexuality, abortion, unmarried motherhood, and the dynamics of teenage social interactions. For example, 'Brad' addresses the struggles of a teenage homosexual, including his feelings of isolation and the journey towards acceptance from his family and society. 'Disco' illustrates the expectations of teenage courtship, while 'Kerry' tells the story of a teenage girl facing an unexpected pregnancy and the implications of her decisions. 'Wendy' discusses the decision-making process surrounding abortion, emphasising the influence of family support. 'Weekend' explores how teenagers spend their free time while navigating peer relationships and pressures. The films aim for neutrality, steering clear of moral judgments about the behaviours depicted. This approach, however, has led to criticism from Miss Bartlett, who argues that by not taking a moral stance, the films could inadvertently normalise the behaviours they portray. Although the Government's tentative stance against implementing comprehensive sex education as suggested in the Johnson Report may prevent these films from being shown to teenagers, they are available for adults to view, allowing them to facilitate discussions with youth. In summary, while the 'Growing Up' films intend to provide guidance rather than education on sensitive topics related to teenage life, the debate around their appropriateness and the boundaries of sex education in schools continues to provoke strong opinions from various stakeholders in society.

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