I’ve had one of those

Harriet Hall, digital features editor, Stylist:

“What can I say, it was a mixed bag. One lesson involved our reverend showing us how to put a condom on a banana, which was obviously ancient, as it split immediately and sent everyone into squeals of panic. We were taught less about sex and more about puberty, really, with one lesson involving tutorials on how to tactfully tell our peers they had BO and recommending them deodorant. Needless to say, this was taken to the playground with gumption. Another lesson included ‘wet dreams’. Before the teacher was able to get into details, one over eager boy shouted out: ‘I’ve had one of those!’ He still hasn’t lived it down…”

The Miracle of Life

Jamie Klingler, publishing manager, Stylist:

“We watched a public broadcasting service film called The Miracle of Life which is graphic recording of an entire birth. We were only 11 years old and Mr. Grunwald rewound the video so we could see what it would look like if the doctor pushed the baby back in. It was traumatic. It’s the only full-on vaginal birth I’ve seen to this day – and it could be part of the reason why I honestly don’t want a baby!”

Tales from the classroom: our hilarious and cringeworthy memories of sex education