S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College (Paperback)

by Heather Corinna (Author) "AS YOU START to read this book, I want you to make a bold choice: I want you to choose to create a healthy, happy..." (more)
Key Phrases: nered sex, sexual healthcare, safer sex supplies, United States, Guttmacher Institute, Helpful Hints (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"S.E.X. is a positive and informative all-embracing guide to sexuality by a dedicated author. Corinna challenges adolescents and young adults alike to be proactive in owning their sexuality by being true to themselves, all the while laying the foundation of knowledge and acceptance--key factors for the development of a healthy sexuality." -- Dr. Lynn Ponton, author of The Sex Lives of Teenagers: Revealing the Secret World of Adolescent Boys and Girls

"Not only would my own adolescence have been vastly less painful and confusing if I'd had access to the accurate, comprehensive, and above all nonjudgmental information that Heather Corinna so carefully provides, but S.E.X. is, literally, a lifesaving book: Corinna's vast commonsense wisdom--especially on topics relating to gender roles, queer sexuality, and gender identities--has the potential to improve the physical and emotional health of anyone who reads it, and to help heal our culture's unhealthy, conflicted approaches to sex, sexuality, and gender." -- Lisa Jervis, founding editor and publisher, Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture

"Sexpert Heather Corinna is the big sis you wish you'd had when you were a confused, pimply teen. Better late than never: S.E.X. gives you the lowdown on gettin' down without talking down to you. Corinna's had a lot of practice as the impassioned empowering voice behind...the straight-up, sex-ed-for-teens site Scarleteen.com. Geared towards 16-22-year-olds of any gender, S.E.X. covers the nuts and bolts of anatomy in a tone that's conversational, not cutesy. There is also plenty of value for old dawgs (like the checklist of unhealthy post-breakup behavior). In a segment titled "Ten Bodacious Ways to Boost Body Image," Corinna put such a compelling spin on "looks aren't everything" that I felt my eyes tearing up. But it's her holistic approach and deft handling of other heavy topics, from eating disorders to abuse, that make this book a must-read." -- Bust Magazine

"We thought we were liberated and informed, but Heather Corinna puts us to shame. In S.E.X., you get answers to everything you were afraid, embarrassed, or didn't know how to ask." -- Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, authors of Manifesta

"[S.E.X.] covers body basics for boys and girls, as well as sexual identity, masturbation, body image, contraceptives, sexually transmitted diseases and the emotional repercussions of making sexual decisions....The book is full of the kind of humor that makes Scarleteen so readable, with subchapters like `Get the Ball Rolling' and `10 Bodacious Ways to Boost Body Image' and `Genderpalooza! A Sex and Gender Primer.'" -- Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"[S.E.X.] normalizes sexuality in all the best ways: encouraging communication, helping with responsible decision making, respectfully acknowledging differences in individual and family approach to morality, and giving up to date scientifically valid information as a foundation for lifetime sexual development. The author writes with a compassionate, friendly and knowledgeable voice without being preachy or careless. Another wonderful section gives a `sexual readiness checklist'--providing a really great tool for thinking through the meaning and consequences for one's actions. All and all, a really useful, smart, user friendly sexual education--great for young people to read on their own--even better for a parent and child to read together." -- Dr. Pepper Schwartz, author of Everything You Know About Love and Sex is Wrong

"[A] blockbuster of a book...Much like the authors of Our Bodies, Ourselves and its spinoffs, Corinna answers every possible question teens and young adults could have about virginity, puberty, pregnancy, body image, masturbation, sexual identity, the variety of relationships, and the mechanics of partnered sex. She also addresses topics that are often overlooked, e.g., transgender and intergender identities, realistic teen relationship management skills, and pornography. An excellent resource for preteens, teens, young adults, and people working with these populations; highly recommended." -- Library Journal

"[C]hock full of clear, current and inclusive information and advice for young people wherever they are in their philosophical and physical development." -- Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"S.E.X. itself is revolutionary as a feminist, GLBT-friendly and overall progressive collection of sexual education material. It offers an alternative and uplifting view of sex... Although the book promotes healthy sexuality, it neither encourages nor discourages teens from engaging in sexual activity. In fact, Corinna prides herself on the open and inclusive nature of the volume. Many people define sex as simply being sexual intercourse, an end of sorts, she said, but she sees things differently... Corinna strives to make information available, not push or pull anyone from a sexual path." -- Minnesota Women's Press

Product Description

Have you ever wondered… Am I normal? (and what is "normal," anyway?) What's up down there? I really like girls, but I like boys sometimes, too. Am I gay, bisexual, or just messed up? Are we both really ready to have sex? Is it ok if I masturbate? I feel like I can't ever say no to my partner. What's the problem? Heather Corinna and Scarleteen.com have been providing sex education and information for young adults, parents, and mentors for nearly ten years. Whether you're straight, gay, sexually active, or just plain curious, S.E.X. spells out everything you need to know, including: A sexual readiness checklist Illustrations of female and male reproductive anatomy How to love your body, even when it's changing every day Tips on safer sex for body, heart, and mind An in-depth birth control breakdown How to create and enjoy the relationships that are right for you Popular mechanics of partnered sex: sexual activities explained, including pregnancy and STI risks STIs 101: what they are and how to keep yourself from getting them

See all Editorial Reviews

---

Product Details Paperback: 332 pages Publisher: Da Capo Press; illustrated edition edition (May 3, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 1600940102 ISBN-13: 978-1600940101 Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,450 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #56 in  Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
AS YOU START to read this book, I want you to make a bold choice: I want you to choose to create a healthy, happy and fulfilling sexual life that is fantastic for you and for everyone else in it. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
nered sex, sexual healthcare, safer sex supplies, manual sex, active sore, sexual health clinic, menstrual cups, anal play, latex barriers, intersexed people, vaginal entry, inner labia, dry sex, sensation play, outer labia, practicing safer sex, other sexual activities, solo sex, hormonal methods, safer sex practices, full arousal, receiving partner

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Guttmacher Institute, Helpful Hints, Lea's Shield, Sexual Readiness Checklist, Family Planning Perspectives

New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

Search Inside This Book:

---

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

She Comes First by Ian Kerner

Discusses:

• anal play
• latex barriers
• inner labia

The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus by Violet Blue

Discusses:

• anal play
• latex barriers
• inner labia

The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio by Violet Blue

Discusses:

• anal play
• latex barriers
• inner labia

Down and Dirty Sex Secrets by Tristan Taormino

Discusses:

• anal play
• latex barriers
• practicing safer sex

Tantric Sex for Women by Christa Schulte

Discusses:

• vaginal entry
• inner labia
• outer labia

What Your Mother Never Told You About Sex by Hilda Hutcherson

Discusses:

• manual sex
• anal play
• outer labia

She Comes First by Ian Kerner Discusses: anal play latex barriers inner labia The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus by Violet Blue Discusses: anal play latex barriers inner labia The Ultimate Guide to Fellatio by Violet Blue Discusses: anal play latex barriers inner labia Down and Dirty Sex Secrets by Tristan Taormino Discusses: anal play latex barriers practicing safer sex Loading...

---

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	68% buy the item featured on this page: S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College 4.7 out of 5 stars (23) $11.53
	12% buy Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: Expanded Third Edition: A Book for Teens on Sex and Relationships 4.5 out of 5 stars (20) $16.47
	8% buy 100 Questions You'd Never Ask Your Parents 4.0 out of 5 stars (4) $12.55
	6% buy The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality, 2nd Edition 4.5 out of 5 stars (24) $11.53

Explore similar items

---

Tags Customers Associate with This Product  (What's this?) Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people. Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below. amazonfail(44) sex(11) teen(11) education(9) sex education(9) sexuality(8) feminist(7) young adult(6) body image(4) gay(4) parenting(4) See all 67 tags... Your tags: Add your first tag

Search Products Tagged with   See most popular tags

Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search

Heather Corinna suggested this product show on searches for "sexual health". What do you suggest?

---

 

Customer Reviews

23 Reviews 5 star:  (19) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 12 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd had this when I was a teenager..., May 2, 2007 By  S. Poorman (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Growing up with a mother who volunteered as a counselor for Planned Parenthood, you'd think I would have had a good education in the area of sexuality - but far from it, really the only thing I heard about was birth control. Sexuality is such a huge part of every human being though, it's amazing that we leave the "education" to pop culture. Now the parent of 3 teenaged daughters, I was absolutely thrilled to get a copy of this book. I plan on getting a couple MORE copies, since I haven't been able to pry it from my middle daughter's hands since giving it to her. As many previous reviewers have mentioned, the book covers everything - not just STIs and birth control, but the psychological and emotional ramifications of becoming sexually active as well. It's thoughtful and not at all condescending, and I have to wonder how much better the world might be if kids had THIS as their sex education instead of music videos. Corinna is fearless when it comes to discussing the gamut of topics, so as a parent I had to be fearless as well, knowing in my heart and head that accurate information is the best gift I could give my daughters. 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Scarleteen Founder's Sex Ed Book Is A Must Read , June 20, 2007 By  C.K. Kelly Martin "C.K." (Canada) - See all my reviews There are so many things to recommend this book aimed at youth 16 - 22 (but containing info valuable to a much wider age range) that it's difficult to know where to begin. S.E.X. contains a lot of the information you find in guides aimed at a young readership - anatomy lessons, safer sex guidelines, a breakdown of birth control options, definitions of various sexual activities and infections. The difference here is Heather Corinna's (who as the founder of the world's most awesome sex ed site, Scarleteen, has seen and heard it all) dedication to tugging the rest of society closer to her dream of a world where everyone is "healthy, happy and whole in themselves and their sexuality: in body, heart, and mind." To that end the book is truly inclusive. In a section on sexual identity Corinna points out that "this isn't the gay chapter" and indeed the book doesn't assume a heterosexual default the way many do - or root itself in traditional gender roles. Nor does it assume that sex is better when connected with love or marriage. The emphasis is unfailingly on communication, being as safe as possible, respecting your own and others' boundaries and fitting sex into the rest of your life in a healthy and enjoyable way. The slant seems so balanced and logical that it's a wonder society at large is in such a mess when it comes to sex and sexuality. But popular culture with its constant projection of a hyper-sexuality which is unvarying and prescriptive (dictating what sort of bodies we should have, the kinds of activities we should be engaging in and who should be performing them - and how) would seem to be the enemy of this logic. To counter these negative messages and arrive at a healthy body image, Heather suggests reducing TV watching and binning your fashion magazines, noticing the diversity around you in your everyday life, focusing on things other than appearance and concentrating on physical activities you enjoy (whether that be team sports, canoeing, whatever). Of course there's a lot of sex in this book and sexual activities are catalogued along with their pregnancy and STI risk. You'll learn that the idea that female virgins are supposed to be "tight" is pure myth. "A woman having first intercourse very well might be tight, but that is likely due more to nervousness, fear, and anxiety than it is to whether or not she has had partnered sex before." If a woman's relaxed, aroused and lubricated enough with a patient partner first-time sex doesn't need to be painful. The idea of premature ejaculation is "a bit bogus" too. There's no "minimum time that is acceptable for erection" and sexual activity can continue in other ways afterwards. There's no reason that all (or any) of the fun has to spring from penetration. Unfortunately, not at all sex is consensual and S.E.X. also discusses healing from abuse and rape. "One-half of all rape victims are raped between the ages of fourteen and seventeen." Roughly a third of "high-school and college students has experienced sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional violence in dating relationships." As adults, we don't do near enough honest talking about these issues. How can we expect young people to deal with the rampant sexual assumptions and expectations, misinformation and pressure created by living in a society that on the one hand tells them sex is something serious and special to save for later while simultaneously drowning them in images that promote the very opposite? For starters we could buy them this book. If everyone read, digested and lived by the philosophies espoused in S.E.X. our sexual problems would be a thing of the past. 7 of 8 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, comprehensive book for people of all genders and orientations, May 28, 2007 By  Kythryne Aisling - See all my reviews This is the book I always wanted (but never found) when I was a teenager -- straightforward, down-to-earth, and perhaps most importantly, incredibly comprehensive. Even at 29, after more than a decade of relationships with people of assorted genders and a stint as a volunteer at Scarleteen, I learned new things from reading S.E.X., and am very happy to have it as a resource on my bookshelves next to the classics like Our Bodies, Ourselves. I've already given a copy to my partner's younger brother, and while my best friend's son is a little too young to do anything but chew on it, he'll be getting a copy too in a few years. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about sexuality and sexual health.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Totally comprehensive, accurate, excellent. I agree with some of the negative reviewers that this book is written at an adult level and that it will not interest all teenagers. Read more Published 6 months ago by Alice Fielding 5.0 out of 5 stars Love S.E.X Corinna wrote an amazing guidebook. it's funny, down to earth, easy to understand. LOVE the illustrations. would give to my sisters and friends. Read more Published 7 months ago by T. House 5.0 out of 5 stars Sex education at its best This book may be the best of its kind in English. At last we have something primarily for teens and young adults which is knowledgeable, helpful, positive where possible, free of... Read more Published 10 months ago by Dr. Paul Rapoport 5.0 out of 5 stars To Heather, but for everyone else to read! I Mean it! Oh yeah, so I have read your new book, and it is SO useful in so many ways. First of all, I was very impressed by the way you discussed controversial points in issues like... Read more Published 10 months ago by K.W.H. 3.0 out of 5 stars Its good but... I'm going to admit that I didnt actually read the book cover to cover. However, I was skimming the book today at the library, I had been wanting to see it for quite some time... Read more Published 11 months ago by Shopper 5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too If you're looking for the definitive guide to sex and sexuality, and everything that it entails, then look no further than Heather Corinna's fact-filled book. Read more Published 18 months ago by TeensReadToo.com 5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME I need several hundred copies of this book to give out to everyone I know! My mom and I read it together, my sister and I read it together, then I gave it to a friend and her mom,... Read more Published 18 months ago by Courtenay Watson 4.0 out of 5 stars Informative It's a very detailed book. Not for your average 13 year old, but may be ideal for someone a little older, or begining to be or already sexually active. Read more Published 20 months ago by D. Dillon 5.0 out of 5 stars every teenager needs this book Teens, this book will answer your questions about sex and relationships. You can trust the author Heather Corinna to care about you and tell it to you straight... Read more Published 21 months ago by J. Foltz 5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough reference that celebrates healthy sex I'm not a teenager anymore, but in some ways I think some of my attitudes about sex are still rooted in what a learned about it as a teen. Read more Published 21 months ago by Ariel van Spronsen Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

---

Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)

New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.

This product's forum (0 discussions)   Discussion Replies Latest Post   No discussions yet Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight Start a new discussion Topic: First post: Receive e-mail when new posts are made Prompts for sign-in   [Cancel] Guidelines Active discussions in related forums   Discussion Replies Latest Post young adult Does anyone remember the name of this book 0 5 seconds ago health Should we have free healthcare in the U.S.?(and is it possible?) 2304 1 minute ago health Obama's health care plan will destroy alternative medicine 187 17 minutes ago young adult Please help! Can't remember the name of a book 0 54 minutes ago young adult HELP! need rec. YA romance for an adult.... 5 1 hour ago teen Best New YA Novels/Novelists 7 2 days ago teen language in ya books? 17 6 days ago

The Teen community Latest activity 29 minutes ago 8,270 customers have contributed 6,513 products, 1,208 lists & guides and more... › Explore the community Related forums health (522 discussions) sex (75 discussions) sex education (2 discussions) teen (31 discussions) young adult (409 discussions) Explore more › See all Customer Communities › Your communities

---

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Be the first person to add an article about this item at Amapedia.com.

› See featured Amapedia.com articles

---

Listmania!

Raising Healthy Teenagers and Sane Parents--Part 3: A list by E. Curry, EDC Creations CEO "Marketing and Branding Consultant"   My Top Choices on Health Information: A list by Melanie   Educate Yourself About Teen Sexuality: A list by Heather Corinna Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

---

So You'd Like to...

get the best 411 on teen dating, kissing and sexuality: A guide by "ruffledrain"   build a healthier family relationship: A guide by E. Curry, EDC Creations CEO "Marketing and Branding Consultant"   Have A Stronger Midsection after your Baby is Born?: A guide by Dr Adam Weiss "author, The AbSmart Fitness Plan and BackSmart Fitness Plan" Create a guide

Search Guides

---

Look for Similar Items by Category

• Books > Health, Mind & Body > Sex
• Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences
• Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality

---

Get Creative with Dremel Power Tools Take on your next project with a versatile Dremel power tool. Shop now and save on Dremel power tools and take advantage of FREE Super Saver Shipping to save even more. ›Shop Dremel tools

Best Books of 2008 Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.

Summer Reading for Kids & Teens Discover everything from beach reads and board books to teen romance and action-adventure series in Summer Reading for Kids & Teens. And, check off the kids' required reading lists in our Summer School Reading Store.

Best Books See our editors' picks and more of the best new books on our Best of the Month page.

Ad feedback

 

Feedback If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? Is there any other feedback you would like to provide? Your comments can help make our site better for everyone. Please note that we are unable to respond directly to all feedback submitted via this form, but we'll ask you to sign in so we can contact you if needed.

Where's My Stuff? Track your recent orders. View or change your orders in Your Account. Shipping & Returns See our shipping rates & policies. See FREE shipping information. Return an item (here's our Returns Policy). Need Help? Forgot your password? Buy gift cards. Visit our Help department.

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)

You have no recently viewed items or searches. After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.	Continue shopping: Top Sellers Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck 3.8 out of 5 stars (174)$6.59 Paranoia by Joseph Finder 4.1 out of 5 stars (183)$0.00 Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck 3.8 out of 5 stars (174)$6.59 The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci Complete by 1452-1519 Leonardo da Vinci 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)$0.00

Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores

International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us

Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings

Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Careers at Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage

Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

Product Details

• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; illustrated edition edition (May 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600940102
• ISBN-13: 978-1600940101
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,450 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #56 in

  Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I'd had this when I was a teenager..., May 2, 2007

By	S. Poorman (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Growing up with a mother who volunteered as a counselor for Planned Parenthood, you'd think I would have had a good education in the area of sexuality - but far from it, really the only thing I heard about was birth control. Sexuality is such a huge part of every human being though, it's amazing that we leave the "education" to pop culture. Now the parent of 3 teenaged daughters, I was absolutely thrilled to get a copy of this book. I plan on getting a couple MORE copies, since I haven't been able to pry it from my middle daughter's hands since giving it to her.

As many previous reviewers have mentioned, the book covers everything - not just STIs and birth control, but the psychological and emotional ramifications of becoming sexually active as well. It's thoughtful and not at all condescending, and I have to wonder how much better the world might be if kids had THIS as their sex education instead of music videos.

Corinna is fearless when it comes to discussing the gamut of topics, so as a parent I had to be fearless as well, knowing in my heart and head that accurate information is the best gift I could give my daughters.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scarleteen Founder's Sex Ed Book Is A Must Read , June 20, 2007

By	C.K. Kelly Martin "C.K." (Canada) - See all my reviews

There are so many things to recommend this book aimed at youth 16 - 22 (but containing info valuable to a much wider age range) that it's difficult to know where to begin. S.E.X. contains a lot of the information you find in guides aimed at a young readership - anatomy lessons, safer sex guidelines, a breakdown of birth control options, definitions of various sexual activities and infections. The difference here is Heather Corinna's (who as the founder of the world's most awesome sex ed site, Scarleteen, has seen and heard it all) dedication to tugging the rest of society closer to her dream of a world where everyone is "healthy, happy and whole in themselves and their sexuality: in body, heart, and mind."

To that end the book is truly inclusive. In a section on sexual identity Corinna points out that "this isn't the gay chapter" and indeed the book doesn't assume a heterosexual default the way many do - or root itself in traditional gender roles. Nor does it assume that sex is better when connected with love or marriage. The emphasis is unfailingly on communication, being as safe as possible, respecting your own and others' boundaries and fitting sex into the rest of your life in a healthy and enjoyable way.

The slant seems so balanced and logical that it's a wonder society at large is in such a mess when it comes to sex and sexuality. But popular culture with its constant projection of a hyper-sexuality which is unvarying and prescriptive (dictating what sort of bodies we should have, the kinds of activities we should be engaging in and who should be performing them - and how) would seem to be the enemy of this logic. To counter these negative messages and arrive at a healthy body image, Heather suggests reducing TV watching and binning your fashion magazines, noticing the diversity around you in your everyday life, focusing on things other than appearance and concentrating on physical activities you enjoy (whether that be team sports, canoeing, whatever).

Of course there's a lot of sex in this book and sexual activities are catalogued along with their pregnancy and STI risk. You'll learn that the idea that female virgins are supposed to be "tight" is pure myth. "A woman having first intercourse very well might be tight, but that is likely due more to nervousness, fear, and anxiety than it is to whether or not she has had partnered sex before." If a woman's relaxed, aroused and lubricated enough with a patient partner first-time sex doesn't need to be painful. The idea of premature ejaculation is "a bit bogus" too. There's no "minimum time that is acceptable for erection" and sexual activity can continue in other ways afterwards. There's no reason that all (or any) of the fun has to spring from penetration.

Unfortunately, not at all sex is consensual and S.E.X. also discusses healing from abuse and rape. "One-half of all rape victims are raped between the ages of fourteen and seventeen." Roughly a third of "high-school and college students has experienced sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional violence in dating relationships."

As adults, we don't do near enough honest talking about these issues. How can we expect young people to deal with the rampant sexual assumptions and expectations, misinformation and pressure created by living in a society that on the one hand tells them sex is something serious and special to save for later while simultaneously drowning them in images that promote the very opposite?

For starters we could buy them this book. If everyone read, digested and lived by the philosophies espoused in S.E.X. our sexual problems would be a thing of the past.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, comprehensive book for people of all genders and orientations, May 28, 2007

By	Kythryne Aisling - See all my reviews

This is the book I always wanted (but never found) when I was a teenager -- straightforward, down-to-earth, and perhaps most importantly, incredibly comprehensive. Even at 29, after more than a decade of relationships with people of assorted genders and a stint as a volunteer at Scarleteen, I learned new things from reading S.E.X., and am very happy to have it as a resource on my bookshelves next to the classics like Our Bodies, Ourselves. I've already given a copy to my partner's younger brother, and while my best friend's son is a little too young to do anything but chew on it, he'll be getting a copy too in a few years. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about sexuality and sexual health.