Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Sex and Character [Paperback]

Pepper Schwartz (Author), Dominic Cappello (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2000

Everyone agrees parents must talk to their children about sex, but the questions always arise: How do I start? What should I cover? Ten Talks offers advice on exactly how to begin and what to say -- not just about sex, but about safety, character, peer pressure, ethics, meeting people on the internet, and mixed messages from TV. Ten Talks is based on innovative and proven approaches that the authors are using in parent workshops across the country. The talks can be adapted for all kinds of families and offer immeasurable rewards, strengthening the relationships of parents and children. This innovative and illustrated book helps prepare kids for the complex world of relationships, sex, and growing up.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . helps parents and their children have those vital talks about sex, health, relationships, and most importantly, strength of character." -- Rita Creighton, Washington State PTA President

". . . parents now have the perfect book to help them talk with their kids about sex, love, and character . . ." -- Judith Bradford, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

". . . respectful, creative, and family-friendly. Ten Talks is a 21st-century approach to providing much needed sexuality and character education . . ." -- Dennis Worsham, "Washington, Can We Talk?"

". . . the facts, skills, and guidance parents need in order to begin what are likely to be the most important conversations . . ." -- Vicki Harrison, MSW, National Education Association Health Information Network

"Easy-to-use strategies that get young people talking." -- Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association

About the Author

Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., is a professor of sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. She is past president of the Society for the Study of Sexuality and a charter member of the International Academy of Sex Research. She has authored or co-authored twelve books, writes several magazine and Web columns, and also appears on Lifetime Television. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two teenage children.

Dominic Cappello is a nationally recognized designer of parent-child communication programs and the creator of the National Education Association's "Can We Talk?" Parent Education Programs. He is a policy advocate on school violence and harassment prevention and the author of Ten Talks Parents Must Have With Their Children About Violence. He Lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1 edition (October 18, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786885483
• ISBN-13: 978-0786885480
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Start for Parents of Young Children, October 11, 2000

By 

Quaker Annie "reader" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Sex and Character (Paperback)

If you're looking for help in telling your kids about the birds, the bees and more, this is a great book!

Raising kids these days is different from the 70's, when my first batch was young. My youngest is 9, and sometimes it seems there are so many things to talk with him about, I don't know where to begin! Parents of young children in the 21st century have to deal with AIDS, the Internet, 24 hours TV (with suggestive commercials that can be an education in and of themselves), violence in the schools, drugs, teen pregnancy, gay families, stepfamilies, not to mention their own choices in their own teen and young adult years.

I like this book because it offers a place for discussion between kids and parents to begin, with cute illustrations and questions that prompt some thoughtful conversations. It suggests that you first ask them what they know about the topic you want to discuss, find out what their friends say and you'll find out what they think, or worry about.

The authors suggest you start talking with your preschoolers, so you can set the groundwork for open communications before adolescence sets in. They don't suggest that you tell small children everything, just begin the talk. Although you may think there is time, these days it is very likely that by kindergarten, they are already learning from their peers at school or on the bus -- and some of what they are learning is wrong, some is too much too soon, some may represent values that are totally unacceptable to your family, and much of this may be scary for a young child to hear.

There are chapters, questions and illustrations by topic, so you can choose what you want to talk about. Best read the book yourself, first. You might want to think about what your child will ask you (about your past), and how much you'll reveal.

A good addition to the family bookshelf after you talk with and listen to your child!

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What I have been looking for..., October 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Sex and Character (Paperback)

I just finished watching the Oprah Winfrey show where Dominic Cappello (the co-author of this book)was a guest. The discussion was on how and when it is appropriate to have specific talks with your children. Some of the issues covered in this book are family values, sex, how to be a good friend, personal boundries, etc... They had several parents on the show that read the book because they did not know an appropriate way to bring up some of these touchy subjects. Each parent was thoroughly impressed with the book and talked to their children about the issues discussed within this book. The parents all agreed that they felt a "weight lifted" and could already see positive changes in the way their children are behaving. As soon as the show was over I got on my computer and ordered the book. In today's fast paced world where children are learning more on television than I thought could ever be possible it is important that we instill family values as soon as possible and give our children the opportunity to learn from us instead of strangers. This book gives the guidelines, the icebreakers, the when and where. I can't wait to read it entirely and sit down confidently with my 8 year old daughter and "talk".

59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Making Uncomfortable Family Talks Easier !!, November 11, 2000

By 

Irvin Goodman - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Sex and Character (Paperback)

The 288 pages of this book written by those in-the-know can really simplify our talks about sex, character and more with our children. The "Ten Talks" book offers parents what they need to speak with their children, confidently, about these important topics and their relationships with others. The information has been gathered from across the country and the methods have been time tested and proven. It's difficult for all of us to begin and carry on the discussions that we must have with our kids, even for those who speak easily to large groups. Our own "home-grown" group can be much more difficult to address. In addition to the topics of sex and character, this book provides advice on safety, peer pressure, ethics, meeting people on the Internet, and messages received from TV. It shows parents how to understand their own values and tells how to appropriately communicate them. The information is useful for any type of family. You'll learn how to get your kids to talk to you, which in itself is half the battle. Topics range from sex to honesty, respect, caring for others, sticking up for what you believe in, keeping promises, courage under pressure, and much, much more. A very valuable family resource. Add it to your parenting library.