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26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read for concerned parents, December 27, 2002
Dr. Meeker has written a very informative yet alarming book on the realities of teens having sex even with multiple partners. She uses real life stories to exemplify her primary point that teens who choose to have sex and most likely with multiple partners will contract at least one STD. Dr. Meeker titles her book "Epidemic..." because teens all across the United States are contracting STD's at an alarming rate. Dr. Meeker states, "An epidemic occurs when...there is an extensive and growing prevalence of a disease that attacks many people simultaneously." Dr. Meeker's book is chalked full of current statistics and well documented endnotes that gives reliable and necessary support of her claim that there is an epidemic among teens. Furthermore, this book is not solely about STDs but about the greater issue of sexual freedom. Dr. Meeker claims, and I agree with, that the primary problem among our teens is that they are taught that it is reasonable to pursue sex in any and all forms which include intercourse, oral, anal, and mutual masturbation. And the means by which teens are 'taught' about sex and its acceptance especially at such an early age, is through the media, advertisements of all sorts, music lyrics and videos, movies, television sitcoms, as well as the 'modeled' behavior of ones parents or guardians. Since morality and personal ethics regarding the value of sex have dropped to a level of cheapness in our country, it is little wonder why teens experiment and engage in various sexual acts, and in turn contract STDs. This book is written from a conservative perspective in which sexual freedom among teens should not endorsed but inappropriate for them to embrace. Teens should not be given freedom by their parent(s) and society to choose to have sex with whoever, wherever, and in any form as one desires. Teens are treated as if they are mature adults who can and will make wise decisions. The truth of the matter is that teens are not adults and are not mature enough to make decisions that have their best interests in mind, especially long term interests. The proof is in the documented evidence. Not only are teens contracting STDs, they are also filled with emotional, psychological, and religious grief. Dr. Meeker shares beneficial ways by which parents can assist their teens to make wise decisions for a positive sexual future, primarily to having sex with a single partner, hopefully a new spouse. For it is caring and educated parents that can have the greatest influence. The overall goal of this book is not just to inform parents about STD's through graphic stories and alarming statistics, but to empower parents to dare to care for their teens lives. As Dr. Meeker's experience and research shows, there is an epidemic among our teens. Unless parents take an active interest in their teens' lives, their teens' future and their children's future will be very bleak.
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