Sex Education

VOYA

These two At Issue series volumes, Sex Education and Teen Sex, look at various facets of sex education and teen sexual health. A bibliography that includes print and online sources and a list of organizations are provided at the end of each book. The articles are short and heavy on citing studies and statistics. Teen Sex is a broad title for a book that discusses virginity pledges, sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates, homosexual activist groups, role of the media, parental consent, and abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education. The first debate works to define what sex is, because many teens have differing opinions as to "what counts." Although the articles are written mostly by researchers and journalists, several pieces include anecdotal comments from teens themselves. Sex Education is a discussion about curricula in America's schools. Many arguments in this volume seem similar, but one hopes that students will use this book to narrow their focus on the topic about which they are writing. Critical thinking could be encouraged more if engaging questions were asked at the end of each article to encourage the reader not to take what they are reading at face value just because a persuasive article is written. Because both volumes criticize many studies that have been done regarding teen sex and education, it might have helped to include a brief overview of how to analyze a study so that the reader does not just regurgitate information but has a better understanding of how to create their own arguments. Purchase as additional items for school or public library. (At Issue). VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a specialinterest in the subject; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2005, Greenhaven, 110p.; Index. Biblio. Appendix., PLB and pb. Ages 15 to 18.
—Kelly Czarnecki

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-The 12 articles collected here represent various viewpoints about sex education and its effectiveness. The introduction presents information about parents' general lack of satisfaction with sex education as currently carried out by schools, based on several surveys and studies, stating the book's intent to "look at several facets of the debate over how sexuality education should be taught to America's youths." A paragraph synopsis precedes the body of the article, allowing student researchers to quickly assess its usefulness. Subheadings break up the text, with boxes featuring pertinent quotes set in white type on black background, supplying the only graphic relief. Specific topics include an overview of the debate about sex education, and pro and con articles about its general success, abstinence education, comprehensive sex education, the politics involved, and the need for sex education specifically for gay teens. Since the material deals with the way in which sex education is presented, rather than with the actual information conveyed, the appeal of the book will be strongest to students researching the topic for social-studies classes, rather than for teens looking for advice on sexuality and puberty. Given that specific focus, the presentation is clear and concise, well organized, and easily accessed, making it a good resource that will provoke critical thinking.-Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.