I came across these photographs of a public hearing with parents, students, teachers and community leaders who were gathered to talk about the introduction of sex education at Van Nuys High School in the summer of 1959.

The photos were taken by a photographer for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and featured in stories about these meetings.

Men in suits, women in tailored skirts, dresses, and jackets, and young men and women smiling, conversing, socializing all under civilized and orderly processes.

Educators were trusted, parents were thought to know better than youngsters. All of this would be overturned in the coming decade.

This was the America we all knew back then, the America that showed the world what democratic debate and public behavior was all about. This was a gathering to talk, listen and expound upon the proper educational methods for the teaching of human reproduction.

Look at it, think of our current lunacy, and weep.

Title
Teacher hearing on sex instruction at Van Nuys school, 1959 

2 images. Teacher hearing on sex instruction at Van Nuys school, 28 July 1959. Charles H. Bobby; John Fox; Lowell McGinnis; Diane Asness — 16 years; Cecil M. Cook (teacher); Clair Eberhard; Bonnie Gottleib — 16 years.; Caption slip reads: “Photographer: Snow. Date: 1959-07-28. Reporter: Slates. ASsignment: Teacher hearing. 3-4: L/R Diane Asness, 16; Cecil M. Cook; Clair Eberhard; Bonnie Gottlieb, 16. 51-52: L/R Charles H. Bobby; John G. Fox; Lowell McGinnis”.