In a political climate in which reproductive rights are frequently debated, it’s imperative that all Americans have a fundamental understanding of the female reproductive system. Unfortunately, the public school system is failing to teach basic female anatomy, leading to common misconceptions regarding the menstrual cycle and proper anatomical terms.
To determine the adequacy of Nyack High School’s health curriculum, Spectrum surveyed 24 male upperclassmen with various backgrounds and academic abilities, asking them each two questions: “What is the definition of vulva?” and “How do people with vaginas urinate while wearing a tampon?”
The results were troubling. A third of participants answered both questions correctly; a third answered one correctly; and a third answered both incorrectly. In total, thirteen participants accurately defined ‘vulva,’ and thirteen understood how it is possible to urinate while wearing a tampon.
Interestingly, two of the perfect-scorers did not learn their answers from school. When asked where he learned the answers, Klaus McGinnis said, “On the internet.” Daniel Anton agreed: “I think probably a mix of health class and some random diagram I found online,” he responded.
A few female upperclassmen agreed that their knowledge concerning female anatomy did not come from school. “I don’t know where I learned what a vulva is… maybe the internet,” said Nina Petrou. Sidney Beckerich learned from “that one American Girl Doll book.”
The survey’s answers are simple. A vulva, according to Merriam Webster, describes “the external parts of the female genital organs.” Urinating with a tampon in is possible because menstrual blood exits through the vagina and urine through the urethra: two separate holes of the vulva. A tampon is not inserted into the same hole through which urine exits. The students’ inability to answer these questions correctly reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of female anatomy in male adolescents.
It is the job of public schools to ensure that their students are informed about the female body, as a basic understanding is vital for future personal or political interactions. Female students without access to resources like the internet or educational books in early adolescence might not have the information needed to manage menstruation safely and comfortably, especially considering that stigma surrounding periods prevents many young menstruators from asking for help. Health classes must fill the gap in their knowledge.
Furthermore, teaching students proper anatomical terminology starting in elementary school can help prevent sexual abuse. “Without proper terminology, children have a very hard time telling someone about inappropriate touching,” Dr. Sandy Wurtele, a professor of psychology at the University of Chicago, told the New York Times. “If a child says someone touched her cookie, it would be very difficult for a listener to know.”
Male students without a basic understanding of female anatomy cannot participate fully in the conversation about reproductive rights. If the health curriculum doesn’t properly cover information as simple as the number of holes in female genitalia, it certainly doesn’t get deeper than surface-level (pun intended).
Nyack Public Schools needs a more comprehensive sex education curriculum, starting with an education in age-appropriate anatomical terms in elementary school and progressing into menstrual health – including the specifics of menstrual hygiene – in middle school. By high school, all students (regardless of their sex) should have a fully-developed understanding of the reproductive system.