Making Sexual Decisions: The Ultimate Teen Guide (It Happened to Me, No. 4)

Rating:
Summary: A useful, informative guide for teens
Review: In "Making Sexual Decisions", Dr. Gowen has created a guidebook for teens that is at the same time smart, informative and easily accessible to teens. Dr. Gowen tackles these tough issues with candor and sensitivity. "Making Sexual Decisions" provides the information teens need to be empowered to make their own smart, safe decisions about sexuality. Adults, as well, can take a lesson from Dr. Gowen about how to effectively talk to teens about sexuality.


Rating:
Summary: A strong, supportive voice for teens
Review: Sexual education books can fall into a variety of categories - for example, those that seek to teach younger teens the plumbing and wiring of the sexual body, or those that describe the actual experiences (both good and bad) of sexually active teens. Dr. Gowen's book represents the voice of an expert who is familiar with the issues that teenagers face regarding sex and relationships; she speaks directly and supportively to teens about the choices available and their consequences, without talking down to teens or becoming didactic. She does a great job of encouraging adolescents to freely make their own choices, but to be educated about them before doing so. In particular, she seeks to acknowledge a wide range of possible experiences that teens might have, including more than heterosexual sex and "traditional" intercourse, for example. This book is a good choice for its specific audience, which is slightly older teens (ages 16-19) and would be appropriate for organizations or institutions that work with that age range.