May I Kiss You? A Candid Look at Dating, Communication, Respect, & Sexual Assault Awareness (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

May I Kiss You? is a must read for students in high school and college. -- Sharon Hansen, School Counselor, Berlin Middle School, Berlin, Wisconsin

"Domitrz lights up the issue with welcomed rays of clarity and insight." -- Pat McGann, Ph.D., Director of Outreach, Men Can Stop Rape

"Every parent who is concerned about their sons’ and daughters’ dating relationships should give this book to their teenagers." -- Charles Zastrow, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Social Work, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

A clear cut, common sense approach to dating, communicating, and successful relationships. -- Annette Cleary, Director of College Counseling, Marquette University High School

Domitrz lights up the issue with welcomed rays of clarity and insight. -- Pat McGann, Ph.D., Director of Outreach, Men Can Stop Rape

Domitrz lights up the issue with welcomed rays of clarity and insight. -- Pat McGann, Ph.D., Director of Outreach, Men Can Stop Rape

He empowers both males and females to embrace a relationship that is free from sexual pressure and misunderstandings. -- Theresa Asmus, Counselor, Rape Crisis Service of Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region, New York

May I Kiss You? is a must read for students in high school and college. -- Sharon Hansen, School Counselor, Berlin Middle School, Berlin, Wisconsin

This book addresses a need an important subject with humor and a light, yet serious enough, tone. -- Suzanne Trummer, ATODA Coordinator, Watertown Unified School District, Watertown, Wisconsin

This book provides young adults with both an explanation and practical advice. -- Scott Hampton, Director, Ending the Violence

Product Description

May I Kiss You? is an in-depth look at the realities of dating and intimacy. While most people simply "make their move" on a date, Mike Domitrz reveals why asking first makes all the difference. Domitrz's candid advice, real-life scenarios, and interactive exercises will revolutionize your approach to dating while adding romance, building respect, and heightening your awareness of sexual misconduct and assault. Students, parents, educators, and professionals are experiencing powerful success with this innovative, respectful, and fun approach to dating.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Awareness Publications (March 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972928200
• ISBN-13: 978-0972928205
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #245,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never give up your self-respect, August 23, 2003

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"I asked my friends, 'How do you date?' and soon learned that the average male's actions on a date were not far from the motivations of a serial rapist. Males were assuming what women wanted and then acting upon their own assumptions. Our society was teaching females to accept this unhealthy dating culture." ~Michael J. Domitrz

Michael Domitrz is a nationally renowned expert on dating. He travels the country teaching students, parents, educators and professionals about respect and sexual assault awareness. His life was changed when his sister was raped in the fall of 1989. He started to question how he viewed dating. Over the years he created a program to change the way people view dating, respect and sexual assault.

"May I Kiss You?" takes a look at more than sexual assault. This book asks challenging questions, provides thought provoking scenarios and presents dynamic solutions.

Whether or not you have decided to wait until marriage or think you could never be raped, this book will give you the insight you need to not only protect yourself, but to protect the person you are dating.

Michael Domitrz discusses body language and how unreliable it can be. He asks if you are sending the right messages to your dates. What is very interesting is how males and females read body language in a completely different fashion. While the male's reaction includes ideas about how the woman is very interested, the female's response will include statements reflecting her nervousness and how uncomfortable she is with a particular situation.

Recently while watching a movie, the man asked the woman if he could kiss her. How often does this occur? Should it occur more? The author thinks it should. I have to agree that women will find this romantic. Of course, I can't see that a guy would have to ask each time. As a relationship progresses into various stages, mutual respect and trust will guide more than questions. Right? The author doesn't seem to agree.

The author makes some interesting points about how you should receive consent or you could be acting under the parameters of a sexual assault. The emotional pain and trauma from a sexual assault can be intense. Victims can react in dramatic ways, drop out of school or want to move away from the area where the assault occurred.

"Sexual assault can happen when two good people are dating each other and one person acts with disregard for the other person's feelings and rights."

So what do you do if you feel you have been raped? Chapter five gives you the resources you need to take action. The author says that you always have the right to say STOP. Personally, I think you should think about what you are doing way before you need to say stop! If you don't want sex, then perhaps putting yourself in the position of being alone with a person is not a good idea. A Mob Mentality is however something to consider. Hanging around with the wrong types of people can be equally harmful.

The author also discusses "Weapons of Self-Defense" and shows how your body and clothes can be used as defense against an attack. He also explains how the body and mind shut down during traumatic experiences and shock can limit your ability to physically react to your assailant. Thinking ahead seems KEY. Going out with a group of ?good? friends on the first date seems a good idea.

The author gives excellent ideas on how to avoid being raped. Something as simple as selecting a different time of day for the date could save you years of trying to recover from a sexual assault. He discusses a variety of ways you can stay in control of your body. Even paying for half the date will give you more power or avoiding alcohol can help you remain in control. Date rape drugs are drugs everyone should be aware of so you can avoid this happening to you.

"May I Kiss You?" is not about whether you should have sex or not. This book does not discuss religious beliefs. It is about protecting yourself from having sex if you don't want sex in any given situation. It is about creating a safe environment in a world of potential predators.

Every parent should read this book and discuss it with their teenagers. No matter what your religious beliefs, this book has information that could save your life. This book deals with the realities of our modern world and will give teenagers and adults the information they need to protect their self-esteem and protect the people they love.

Highly Recommended for the Life Saving Information.

~The Rebecca Review

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars College Students Must Have It!!!!!, May 3, 2003

By A Customer

This is a must have for any high school or College student: man or woman. Parent's, this could save your daughters life! I recently had the opportunity to read this book as well as hear the author speak in a candid seminar on my college campus. We were enlightened so much with the information he has to share. The content provided in this book is priceless-and if you ever get a chance to hear the author speak-Don't miss it!!

A MUST HAVE!!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational! What you never thought about is answered., April 15, 2003

By	Sharlene Stewart, Immaculata, PA - See all my reviews

The most important issues facing our youth today have been addressed in this sensational book on dating and sexual assault awareness. The angles taken by Domitrz reach the inner most thoughts of all ages, giving the reader detailed solutions to the entire dating experience.
A must read!