[[Image:Sex hygiene and false modesty.png|thumb|250px|"Sex hygiene" is contrasted with "false modesty" in this frontispiece to an early 20th century book.]]
[[Image:Sex hygiene and false modesty.png|thumb|250px|"Sex hygiene" is contrasted with "false modesty" in this frontispiece to an early 20th century book.]]
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The '''social''' or '''mental hygiene''' movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was an attempt by [[Progressive Era|Progressive-era]] reformers to control [[venereal disease]], regulate [[prostitution]] and [[vice]], and disseminate [[sexual education]] through the use of [[scientific method|scientific]] research methods and modern media techniques.
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The '''social''' or '''mental hygiene''' movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was an attempt by Progressive-era reformers to control [[venereal disease]], regulate [[prostitution]] and vice, and disseminate [[sexual education]] through the use of scientific research methods and modern media techniques.
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Many reformers, such as Dr [[Marie Stopes]], were also exponents of [[eugenics]]. Inspired by [[Charles Darwin]]'s theory of [[natural selection]], they argued for the [[sterilisation]] of certain groups, even racial groups, in society. This link between [[racial hygiene]] and social hygiene can be seen in Australia, where the [[Racial Hygiene Association of New South Wales]] is now named The [[Family Planning]] Association.
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Many reformers, such as Dr Marie Stopes, were also exponents of [[eugenics]]. Inspired by [[Charles Darwin]]'s theory of [[natural selection]], they argued for the [[sterilisation]] of certain groups, even racial groups, in society. This link between [[racial hygiene]] and social hygiene can be seen in Australia, where the [[Racial Hygiene Association of New South Wales]] is now named The [[Family Planning]] Association.
Social hygiene as a profession grew alongside [[social work]] and other [[public health]] movements of the era. Social hygienists emphasized sexual continence and strict self-discipline as a solution to societal ills, tracing prostitution, drug use and [[illegitimacy]] to rapid [[urbanization]].
Social hygiene as a profession grew alongside [[social work]] and other [[public health]] movements of the era. Social hygienists emphasized sexual continence and strict self-discipline as a solution to societal ills, tracing prostitution, drug use and [[illegitimacy]] to rapid [[urbanization]].
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The [[American Social Hygiene Association]] was formed in [[1913]].
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The [[American Social Hygiene Association]] was formed in 1913.
The movement remained alive throughout the 20th century and found its way into American schools, where it was transmitted in the form of classroom films about [[menstruation]], sexually transmitted disease, [[drug abuse]] and acceptable sexual behavior in addition to an array of pamphlets, posters, textbooks and films.
The movement remained alive throughout the 20th century and found its way into American schools, where it was transmitted in the form of classroom films about [[menstruation]], sexually transmitted disease, [[drug abuse]] and acceptable sexual behavior in addition to an array of pamphlets, posters, textbooks and films.
The social or mental hygiene movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was an attempt by Progressive-era reformers to control venereal disease, regulate prostitution and vice, and disseminate sexual education through the use of scientific research methods and modern media techniques.
Social hygiene as a profession grew alongside social work and other public health movements of the era. Social hygienists emphasized sexual continence and strict self-discipline as a solution to societal ills, tracing prostitution, drug use and illegitimacy to rapid urbanization.
The movement remained alive throughout the 20th century and found its way into American schools, where it was transmitted in the form of classroom films about menstruation, sexually transmitted disease, drug abuse and acceptable sexual behavior in addition to an array of pamphlets, posters, textbooks and films.
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