Teenage Sexuality

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up A superior collection of opposing views on adolescent sexuality and allied issues: pregnancy, birth control, abortion, and sexual education. Virtually every opinion is expressed, from that of Phyllis Schlafly and the conservative churches to Ellen Willis, who believes that teenagers have a right to experience sexual love, and Jay Belsky, who suggests that the solution to teenage out-of-wedlock pregnancies is to pay teens to remain childless. The ``Opposing Viewpoint'' series presents ideal material for academic debate and many sources for high-school term papers, as well as background reading for those trying to form an opinion on the issues involved. At the end of each chapter is a ``critical thinking activity'' on which discussion can be based: ``distinguishing bias from reason,'' ``the ability to empathize,'' and other exercises. Periodical bibliographies appear at the end of each chapter; there is a book bibliography at the end of the book. The index is fairly complete, although AIDS (discussed here and there) does not appear in it. Illustrated with witty and pointed cartoons, this book is highly recommended for school and public libraries. Ann Scarpellino, Ramsey Public Library, N.J.