The film follows a "normal" family setting and addresses topics sequentially to mirror the stages of adolescent discovery. Key themes explored include:
"I'm 46 now. In 1991, my teacher in Leuven showed us a drawing of a penis and said, 'This is normal, but you don't need to talk about it at dinner.' That was it." – Jan, Flemish. puberty sexual education for boys and girls 1991 belgiumrarl
"My French school in Namur invited a nun to talk about periods. She told us to offer our suffering to Jesus. My mother was furious and gave me a real book the next day." – Chloé, Walloon. The film follows a "normal" family setting and
| Module | Topics Covered (1991 curriculum style) | |--------|------------------------------------------| | | Puberty onset (ages 9–14), growth spurts, body hair, voice changes (boys), breast development (girls), menstruation, wet dreams | | 2. Reproductive anatomy | Labeled diagrams (internal/external genitalia) – clinical but age-appropriate | | 3. Hygiene & health | Skin care, menstrual products (sanitary pads, tampons – less common in 1991), testicular self-exam, daily washing | | 4. Emotions & attraction | Crushes, mood swings, privacy, respect for own and others’ bodies | | 5. Reproduction basics | Sperm + egg → pregnancy, no explicit sexual acts (abstinence-focused but factual) | | 6. STI awareness | Basic info on HIV/AIDS (very prominent in early ‘90s), condom mention (rare for 10–12 year olds) | | 7. Social skills | Saying “no”, peer pressure, trusted adults, Belgian child helpline (e.g., Kinder- en Jongerentelefoon ) | "My French school in Namur invited a nun