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Excerpt from Oral History Interview with George Miller, January 19, 1991. Interview M-0015. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007) See Entire Interview >>

Miller's early endorsement of sexual education for high school students

Miller supported open communication and education about gender sexuality with students. Although he was more explicit about female sexuality, he was less candid about that of male students. Miller describes himself as an early advocate of sexual education, which he viewed as practical knowledge given the culture of adolescent males and females.

Citing this Excerpt

Oral History Interview with George Miller, January 19, 1991. Interview M-0015. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007) in the Southern Oral History Program Collection, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Full Text of the Excerpt

GOLDIE F. WELLS:
What did you say your basic difference between male and female--between girl and boy. What did you give them for your definition?
GEORGE MILLER:
Well, God made two--male and female and thank God for the difference. You'de talk about the characteristics. The boys need to understand menstruation, that it takes place, in my teaching experience I've had girls to have problems with menstruation and didn't know what to do and it come down all over the floor. I've gone through so many experiences but you need to explain that. Why it takes place and if they don't do that in the science class or in the home ec room--parents don't know the why themselves, they know what but they don't know why. They don't keep a chart of the when. So you can't get ill every week. If you start coming in here every week there is something wrong with you. We're going to get a doctor. Therefore you don't pull that trick on me. When I was teaching and I used to have plays and I used to go with cheerleaders and you'de have girls at that time who were in their period. The boys had to understand. A girl would come off stage and it was necessary for her to change so I explained that before practice started. You have got to be able to talk to young people. Then another thing is that some parents don't want you to tell them certain things. You have to be on the lookout for that. Some parents get upset if you taught about anything dealing with sexuality. Everybody has it. It's going to take place.
GOLDIE F. WELLS:
What did you tell the girls about the boys?
GEORGE MILLER:
Well, I would tell the girls its all right for him to hug you and its all right for them to kiss you but be sure to hold both of his hands. The only time they get in trouble is when his hands start moving. I told my daughter that and all of them. It's going to take time. You're going to like somebody but then I did differently with my children than most people. I not only told them why but back then they just started the pill. They had prophylactics and I made my daughter carry them after she got up to a courting age and everything and I told her if you don't tell me now, nine months later everybody is going to know it.