YMCA sex education slides

Collection

Identifier: P-YMCA

Scope and Contents

During the first World War the Canadian Expeditionary Forces (CEF) were particularly concerned with the number of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs, then called venereal disease). During this time, and with help from the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), the CEF produced pamphlets, lectures, and other assorted materials to educate young soldiers on sexual health and how to avoid STIs. These materials emphasized the ill effects of gonorrhea and syphilis, and urged abstinence to protect the soldiers as well as the women at home.

The slides in this collection likely accompanied one such sexual health lecture for soldiers. Dr. O. C. J. Withrow, named on the title slide, also produced pamphlets in the YMCA’s "Manhood" series, which aimed to remind soldiers of the harms of sexual vice.

Dates

circa 1918

Creator

Withrow, Oswald C. J. (Person)

Biographical / Historical

The YMCA was founded in London in 1844 as the Young Men’s Christian Association “as an alternative to the unhealthy social conditions during the Industrial Revolution.” The first YMCAs had strong links to Protestant churches, but the organization began to welcome people from other churches and now welcomes people regardless of religion. After the declaration of WWI, the YMCA established recreation centers in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe to support soldiers. In 1915 the Toronto YMCA began to undertake work among the soldiers being recruited and trained in Toronto. In addition to the YMCA-sponsored lectures and texts promoting social hygiene, activities at the recreation centers, or “huts” were seen as wholesome distractions to avoid sexual temptation.

Dr. Oswald C. J. Withrow was a Canadian physician and supporter of social hygiene, a movement that emphasized strict self-discipline as a solution to societal ills, including STIs, tuberculosis, and mental illness. He was also a proponent of eugenics and the founder of the Ontario Birth Control League. He studied STIs while overseas with the Canadian army and in 1918 he was appointed the secretary for sex education by the National Council of the YMCA. In this post he lectured across the country and distributed pamphlets on sex education.

Extent

0.375 Linear feet (1 lantern slide box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was donated to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by Albert Sperath in March 2025.

Bibliography

Bennett, Allison Lynn. “Building a White Canada: Gender, Sexuality, Race, and Medicine.” Active History, 27 Aug. 2020, activehistory.ca/blog/2020/08/27/building-a-white-canada-gender-sexuality-race-and-medicine/.

History of Sex Education, SIECUS, 2021, siecus.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-SIECUS-History-of-Sex-Ed_Final.pdf.

“History.” YMCA of Greater Toronto, www.ymcagta.org/about-us/history. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

McLaren, Angus. “Sex, Science, and Race Betterment.” Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945, McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, Ont., 1990, pp. 68–88.

Christopher, Webb. “Protecting Our Privates; Military Health Education and the V.D. Epidemic.” Dr. Margaret Angus Research Fellowship of the Museum of Health Care at Kingston. 2005.