Book Review
A short overview of this book
Welcome to Sex: Your no-silly-questions guide to pleasure, sexuality and figuring it out by Dr Melissa Kang & Yumi Stynes is a detailed sex manual that would be perfect for teens who are wanting to understand the mechanics of sex and the sexual landscape they will soon be joining. It would also be an excellent book for parents to also read, if they need a refresher about love, sex and relationships.
This is what the Publisher has to say about Welcome to Sex:
Welcome to Sex is a frank, age-appropriate introductory guide to sex and sexuality for teens of all genders, from the creators of the best-selling guides Welcome to Your Period, Welcome to Consent and Welcome to Your Boobs.
There’s no denying it – sex can be pretty tricky … and talking about sex can feel weird and so uncomfortable. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
This little book is packed with honest advice on everything you need to know about sex: how to know when you’re ready and reasons not to have sex, exploring pleasure on your own to becoming sexually intimate with others, contraception and staying safe, how to communicate about sex, wobbly starts and awkward moments (including talking to your parents about sex).
Welcome to Sex is inclusive, reassuring and all about keeping sex fun, real, and shame-free. With case studies, first-person accounts and questions from real teens, Welcome to Sex will help readers navigate their sexual debuts with confidence!
Contents:
- What Is Sex?
- Parents And Carers And Awkward Conversations
- Getting Intimate With Myself
- Orgasms
- Labels: Sexual And Gender Identities
- What The Outside World Is Telling Us About Sex
- Myths About Sex
- Reasons To Not Have Sex
- How It Begins: Feelings, Flirting And Falling In Love
- What Can Actually Happen With Another Person?
- Wobbly Starts
- Relationships
- Looking After Myself And My Partner
- Pregnancy Lowdown
- Awkward Sex Moments And Other Challenges
- Is Something Wrong?
- Keeping Safe
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hi there! I’m Cath Hak, also known as Cath Hakanson, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is where I help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about love, sex, and relationships. Today, I want to talk about a controversial book for teens called Welcome to Sex by Dr. Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes.
Now, before we dive in, let me give you some background. This book has been causing quite a stir lately. It’s been recommended for children, which has sparked a lot of debate. Some people are even saying that the authors have made controversial statements about the book. I haven’t had a chance to read it cover to cover yet, but I did take a good look at it and wanted to share my initial thoughts.
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room – pornography. The book doesn’t encourage kids to go wild and watch as much as they want. It simply explains what pornography is and touches on the ethics surrounding it. So, no need to worry there.
Now, when it comes to the topic of sex itself, the book provides information without explicitly telling kids to go out and have sex. It’s important to remember that sex is a sensitive subject for many people, and things can easily get blown out of proportion. That’s why I encourage you to grab a copy of the book and make your own judgment.
So, why did I like this book enough to get my own copy? Well, it’s really hard to find a book that gives kids a comprehensive understanding of sex. This one is filled with illustrations and easy-to-understand explanations. It takes into consideration the developmental stage of children and provides information that is relevant to their age group.
I must say, though, there are a few things that caught my attention. For example, the illustrations of penises seemed a bit off. As someone with a nursing background, I’ve seen my fair share of penises, and I can tell you that some of the drawings didn’t quite match up. Additionally, the book could have included more diversity in terms of body types and colors.
On the positive side, I was impressed to see that the book normalizes intersex and provides illustrations and explanations about it. This is something that many books overlook, so it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Overall, I think this book fills a gap in the market. It’s not for tweens or young children, but rather for mature teenagers who are curious and want to learn more about sex. It covers topics like contraception and even shows step-by-step instructions on how to use a condom. It’s inclusive and doesn’t assume heterosexuality or cisgender identity.
As a parent, it’s important to stay informed about love, sex, and relationships. This book can be a great resource for updating your own knowledge and having meaningful conversations with your kids. And don’t worry, the controversy surrounding the book will eventually blow over.
I hope this review has given you some insight into Welcome to Sex. Remember, it’s always a good idea to read the book yourself and make your own judgment. If you have a teenager who wants to learn more about sex, this could be a valuable resource. And hey, even if you’re not in the dating scene anymore, it never hurts to brush up on your knowledge!
Cheers, and happy reading!
