MUVS

The MUVS tracks and tells the cultural history of how people achieved control over their own fertility in a long and often painful way over thousands of years. Sigmund Freud expressed it this way in 1898 (loosely translated): One of the greatest achievements of humanity would be the separation of sexuality and reproduction. About 100 years ago, natural human fertility resulted in 15 pregnancies, 10 deliveries, and 8 surviving children in an average woman’s lifetime. Today, we have a largely self-determined approach to controlling our sexuality and fertility. Often, however, access to information on reproductive relations and our knowledge and application of effective contraception is still insufficient, as shown by the estimated 35,000 abortions done every year in Austria alone.The 30,000 young students who have visited the MUVS and taken part in interactive guided tours and storytelling since the museum’s opening in March 2007 confirms the need for sex education outside the school environment.

The MUVS collects, documents, researches, displays, and communicates this exciting and fascinating part of our cultural history – with a vision of full self-determination in the areas of sexuality, fertility, and reproduction..

www.muvs.org