Human Sexuality

Dr. Harold I. Lief, 89, a psychiatrist and emeritus professor at the University of Pennsylvania and an early advocate for the teaching of human sexuality, died of heart failure Thursday at home in Bryn Mawr. He became interested in sex education in 1967 when he joined the Penn faculty as head of the Division of Family Study. His mission was to prepare medical students to cope with future patients' sexual and marital problems, but found that the students themselves had issues. "Many students," he told The Inquirer in 1967, "were ignorant, embarrassed and anxious about the subject.

As the cardinals return from their meeting with Pope John Paul II, expect the drumbeat to increase for the church to abandon its teaching on human sexuality. Though cloaked in legitimate concern about the sex-abuse scandal, many of those leading the charge for reform have far broader aims than ridding the church of pedophile priests. For about 40 years, elite opinion leaders have been openly contemptuous of Catholic teaching on sexual morality and would like to use this opportunity to prove their point.

Parish teachers in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will meet today to discuss a proposed set of guidelines for a human sexuality course for students during an in-service day at Cardinal Dougherty High School in Olney. Called Guidelines for Catechesis in Human Sexuality, the document targets first through eighth graders and tries to respond to an increasingly permissive society, said the Rev. Stephen P. McHenry, secretary for Catholic education. An original version was released last year, he said.

Dr. William H. Masters, 85, one of the first and leading researchers in the field of human sexuality, died in a Tucson, Ariz., hospital Friday of complications from Parkinson's disease, a hospital spokeswoman said.. Partnered with Virginia Johnson, who later became his wife, Dr. Masters conducted interviews and observed sex in the act, researching biological responses and monitoring the physiology of sexual arousal. Based on that research, the pair published Human Sexual Response in 1966, which became a best-seller despite its technical language.

A task force of parents and teachers has come up with a proposed compromise in the controversy over how to teach the fifth-grade human-sexuality curriculum to boys and girls in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. The group has proposed a combination of coed and single-sex classes, which could be implemented this school year. The plan is expected to be presented at tonight's school board meeting, though a vote will not be taken until next month. The task force has suggested keeping students together for the initial class, co-taught by male and female teachers.

One cheer for the Roman Catholic hierarchy on the wrenching issue of clergy pedophilia. Eight years of media attention, a spate of lawsuits and vast disaffection among the Catholic laity have finally forced American bishops and Pope John Paul II to act. With their newly formed committees to confront sexual abuse of children, the prelates are moving beyond their earlier denial that a problem existed. But to move further forward, the bishops must now look back. They must honestly and openly examine all causes of priestly abuse and the historical pattern of institutional cover-up.

Emanuel Fliegelman, 83, of Wyncote, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist and professor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, died Thursday of myelofibrosis at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Born in Philadelphia to the family that owned Fliegelman's Department Store on Germantown Avenue, Dr. Fliegelman graduated from Germantown High School, St. Joseph's University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Until 1972, he was a family physician in Germantown.

About 750 people attended a public hearing on Downingtown Area School District's proposed sex-education program, including some who voiced concerns that schools may not teach enough about chastity and morality. The meeting, held Tuesday at Downingtown Senior High School, was called by school officials because the district is reviewing the health curriculum provided at all grade levels. Assistant Superintendent Daniel Jones said that every subject taught in the district is reviewed every six years to allow teachers to update teaching methods.

Health and sexuality educator Susan Rose Broida, 50, died Saturday of a cerebral hemorrhage at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She lived in Paoli. Mrs. Broida was a longtime fixture within Planned Parenthood, most recently as director of education and training at the Chester County facility. She also taught human sexuality and women's health at St. Joseph's University, and was a counselor at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr. She graduated from Rosemont College and earned a master's degree from St. Joseph's.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is holding hearings on house Bill No. 2277, entitled "Parent and Pupil Protection Act. " It is anything but. The bill is designed to thwart sex education in the public schools by throwing up a series of roadbocks, such as extensive public hearings, before any course in that subject may be taught. Sex education is defined as any instruction "intended to impart information or promote discussion or understanding" of human sexuality. Even if school officials succeed in running the procedural gauntlet, there is a second major obstacle: No pupil may attend any sex education course without written consent of a parent.

Q: I am into S&M — and I don't mean Steve and Mia. I am a sub, but my husband is not a dom. When we started dating five years ago, I refused to have sex until I was able to reveal myself. I told him to research it and get back to me if he was still interested. He did come back, and we had an incredible relationship for three years. Then we married and the first year was great. But over the past year he has slowly gotten rid of my sexual paraphernalia. He has pushed me into what I term vanilla sex. Initially, I gave in because it was something he needed, and since he gave me what I wanted, it was only fair.

W HITNEY HOUSTON still has a problem. A rep for the "I Will Always Love You (Crack)" singer confirmed yesterday that Whitney is back in rehab, participating in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment. She says it is a voluntary measure and part of Houston's "long-standing" recovery process. Whitney has battled drug addiction for years. But in 2009, as she released a comeback album, she declared herself healthy and clean. Not so much. Her 2010 tour overseas was plagued by missed performances and missed notes, and Whitney received negative reviews from fans who were disappointed in the quality of her voice and the price of tickets.

Sue Curci looked tired. She had been running routes and catching footballs, and she needed a little water break. Also, she had to fix her makeup. The 22-year-old was one of approximately 80 women who showed up the other day to try out for the Philadelphia Passion, the area's new Lingerie Football League team. This probably won't surprise anyone, but I've covered the LFL before. When I was in Dallas, I interviewed a few of the hopefuls when the league first got going. That's why I know the women involved are real competitors and surprisingly good athletes.

Dr. Harold I. Lief, 89, a psychiatrist and emeritus professor at the University of Pennsylvania and an early advocate for the teaching of human sexuality, died of heart failure Thursday at home in Bryn Mawr. He became interested in sex education in 1967 when he joined the Penn faculty as head of the Division of Family Study. His mission was to prepare medical students to cope with future patients' sexual and marital problems, but found that the students themselves had issues. "Many students," he told The Inquirer in 1967, "were ignorant, embarrassed and anxious about the subject.

By the time the opening credits of Kinsey are done with, audiences have already learned a great deal about the pioneer researcher who stirred up postwar America with his findings on sex. Alfred C. Kinsey was the son of a puritan of astounding zealotry (we see the Methodist sermonizer condemning the zipper, for instance, for offering "speedy access to moral oblivion"); Kinsey was an Eagle Scout; he loved science; he found peace in the natural world; and, maybe, as a teen, he looked at his best friend with something more than buddy-ish affection.

As the cardinals return from their meeting with Pope John Paul II, expect the drumbeat to increase for the church to abandon its teaching on human sexuality. Though cloaked in legitimate concern about the sex-abuse scandal, many of those leading the charge for reform have far broader aims than ridding the church of pedophile priests. For about 40 years, elite opinion leaders have been openly contemptuous of Catholic teaching on sexual morality and would like to use this opportunity to prove their point.

Dr. William H. Masters, 85, one of the first and leading researchers in the field of human sexuality, died in a Tucson, Ariz., hospital Friday of complications from Parkinson's disease, a hospital spokeswoman said.. Partnered with Virginia Johnson, who later became his wife, Dr. Masters conducted interviews and observed sex in the act, researching biological responses and monitoring the physiology of sexual arousal. Based on that research, the pair published Human Sexual Response in 1966, which became a best-seller despite its technical language.

A task force of parents and teachers has come up with a proposed compromise in the controversy over how to teach the fifth-grade human-sexuality curriculum to boys and girls in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. The group has proposed a combination of coed and single-sex classes, which could be implemented this school year. The plan is expected to be presented at tonight's school board meeting, though a vote will not be taken until next month. The task force has suggested keeping students together for the initial class, co-taught by male and female teachers.

Emanuel Fliegelman, 83, of Wyncote, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist and professor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, died Thursday of myelofibrosis at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Born in Philadelphia to the family that owned Fliegelman's Department Store on Germantown Avenue, Dr. Fliegelman graduated from Germantown High School, St. Joseph's University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Until 1972, he was a family physician in Germantown.

Health and sexuality educator Susan Rose Broida, 50, died Saturday of a cerebral hemorrhage at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She lived in Paoli. Mrs. Broida was a longtime fixture within Planned Parenthood, most recently as director of education and training at the Chester County facility. She also taught human sexuality and women's health at St. Joseph's University, and was a counselor at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr. She graduated from Rosemont College and earned a master's degree from St. Joseph's.