Mcbride - Zeig Mal Will

(translated as ) is a groundbreaking and deeply controversial sex education book first published in Germany in 1974. Created by American photographer Will McBride and Swiss child psychologist Dr. Helga Fleischhauer-Hardt

In 1974, McBride and psychologist Helga Fleischhauer-Hardt published Zeig Mal! Ein Bilderbuch für Kinder und Eltern (Show Me! A Picture Book for Children and Parents). At its core, Zeig Mal! was intended as a frank sex education book. It featured 125 black-and-white photographs of pre-adolescent children exploring their bodies and sexuality, accompanied by explanatory text. Initially, the book was a success. It was praised by Pro Familia and the Protestant Church, and the Art Directors Club in Germany awarded it a gold medal for its aesthetic quality. Over one million copies were sold, and it was translated into seven languages.

During this era, European youth were actively shedding the conservative, rigid social structures left in the wake of World War II. McBride's photography became synonymous with this new era of "flower power," bodily liberation, and naturalism. Before Zeig mal! , McBride had already broken boundaries by publishing raw, intimate portraits—including a highly publicized photo series of his pregnant wife in 1960 and The Sex Book ( Lexikon der Sexualität ) in 1970. The Vision Behind the Book zeig mal will mcbride

In the years following its release, the approach to sex education continued to evolve. Modern resources often draw a distinction between providing factual biological information and the use of explicit visual media, leading to different standards for educational materials today than those present in the 1970s. 5. The Professional Legacy of Will McBride

Supporters viewed the book as a courageous step forward in mental health and child development. The Lutheran Church in Germany initially supported the project, and the German Book Prize even nominated it for an award. In the United States, major publications reviewed it favorably, and it was celebrated as a masterwork of documentary photography that treated a sensitive subject with dignity and warmth. The Shift in Cultural Norms and Legal Controversies (translated as ) is a groundbreaking and deeply

To understand the creation of Zeig Mal! , one must look at the cultural landscape of West Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This era was defined by the student movement, social liberation, and a profound desire to break away from the rigid, authoritarian structures of the past.

The expansion of federal child pornography laws fundamentally changed the legal landscape. Ownership, reproduction, or sale of the book became illegal under revised statutory definitions, effectively banning it from libraries and stores. Ein Bilderbuch für Kinder und Eltern (Show Me

To understand the shock, one must understand the context. In 1950s Germany, sex education was largely in the hands of the church and framed as a duty for procreation. While the political upheavals of the late 1960s brought calls for "sexual revolution," the information was often theoretical and inaccessible to children and parents. Zeig mal! was different. It was a visual story of discovery.

Eliminate the fear, secrecy, and clinical coldness surrounding anatomy. Encourage open dialogue between parents and children.

Will McBride, ›Zeig Mal‹. LOT 138. Hammer Price €960 incl. Buyer's Premium. AUCTION CLOSED – Thank you for your participation! Leitz Photographica Auction Will McBride - Art & Prints for Sale | Artsy