Product Description

The classic guide to teen sexuality—updated and expanded with information on sexually-transmitted diseases; contraception; sexual abuse, healthy relationships; hotlines and resources; and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45571 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up. Addressing young men and women and their parents, this guide is comprehensive and treats readers with honesty and respect. Its only "underground" element is in the smudgy chapter headings that look like they came off an old dirty typewriter. The book is minimally illustrated with black-and-white line drawings that are often cartoonlike and too small to be seen clearly when they deal with technical information. The author is a sexuality educator who knows his stuff and communicates mainly in a question-and-answer format. In an objective manner, Basso covers all the basics (physical, emotional, and social) as well as facts about contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, and homosexuality. He also makes a strong case for abstinence without appearing to be pushing that agenda. The approach is especially reasonable in including help on how to say no and deal with peer pressure to have sex, drink, or do drugs. The tone of the book is very much that of a classroom teacher, which lends it an air of authority but works against the "underground" theme. A good choice for young adult collections looking for something new in this subject area.?Melissa Gross, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Teenagers need current, accurate, objective information about sexuality so that they can understand the changes occurring in their bodies and make informed decisions about sexual activity. Basso, an experienced sex educator, discusses anatomy and physiology, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, birth control, abortion, and sexuality in terms that teenagers comprehend. He is nonjudgmental, encouraging readers to think about all aspects of the issues and make decisions that are comfortable for them. He tells teenagers that they must be prepared to protect themselves and accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions. A book that empowers teens by giving them the information that they need; highly recommended for young adult and consumer health collections.?Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
A book that empowers teens by giving them the information that they need. -- Library Journal

Customer Reviews

Religious beliefs are trumped by homosexual beliefs?
Homosexuality for a christian young person who does not share the beliefs of this book will find it's very one sided, and at one point acutally states that God hates homosexuals. This could not be farther from the truth. Ofcourse in society you will find extreme opinions against homosexuals, but many, many religions/church bodies today embrace, pray and are very loving towards homosexuals, even though they do not agree with their choice of lifestyle. Christians, nor God practice "hate". Intersting that it's o.k. to say God or Christians "hate", but if someone says I hate homosexuals, people of color, different race ect, thats called "hate speech". Hummmmm? Double standards here? A simple clear encouragement to both sides of beliefs on homosexuality to work together, and help each other understand acceptance is o.k. No one on either side has to hate.

Truly a landmark resource - excellent!
In addition to a number of colleagues recommending this book over the years, recently at a symposium this resource was deemed as the "turning point in US sexuality education." Quite a claim, so naturally, I couldn't put off picking up a copy at that point.

After performing a meta-analysis of resources from 1990 to 2008, I found it quite remarkable how many books and resources have cited and stemmed from this resource, in written, web, curriculum and training formats, and deservedly so. The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality is factual, direct, comprehensive and interweaves many of the critical issues that impact sexual health and decision-making that are usually absent from most other resources. This book seems to have served as the juncture from the "birds and the bees" to open and balanced discussion of sexual health.

As a stand-alone read for most teens, or as a teaching resource for physicians, parents, or teachers, I found this book to promote the values of honesty, responsibility, and ethics, and purposely, so it seemed, omit any moral perspective, thus allowing wide use, adoption, and utility among adults from diverse religious perspectives who are interested in infusing their personal moral beliefs within a sexual health framework - this is truly a masterful design.

As many of the other reviewers have echoed, I too have found the Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality to be an outstanding, landmark resource.

Be careful when handing this book to young teens
Though this book is VERY informative, I hesitate to encourage people to hand it over to their teen, especially teens younger than 15. The book is much a "how to" book. How to have sex, what an organism feels like, and how to put on a condom. Yes, it talks about pregnancy, abortion and STD's but it lacks moral decision making. This is where the parent steps in, to read the book with your child and talk to them about responsible decision making about their body and about sex and to instill your values and morals along with the "how to" book. I bought it for my 13 year old and hesitated before handing it over to her. I think I'll read it along with her. I do like that it is up front and answers questions directly.