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azuki_mom's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I could give 10 stars!! Every parents, parents to be, well actually everyone should read this book. It’s full of great information about sexuality and bodies. I love to empower my children and I know this book will definitely help me.
joanna_banana's review against another edition
5.0
If you have kids or grandkids or are an adult role model in a kid’s life, read this! It takes the “birds and the bees” into the 21st century and adds messages of equality, inclusion, and empowerment that truly are the foundations to a healthy sexuality. Learned a lot of great tactics to apply when talking with my daughter about her body, sex, and relationships. Part of me was saddened by two things: 1) was it already too late? At age 6, had my daughter already absorbed so many messages of inferiority and sex shaming that I can’t undo it? We’ve had good conversations so far about consent and parts of the body but based on this book, that’s what parents should start with preschoolers. I hope we can set things straight here on out. 2) How screwed up is the US? People sexualize children and do them such a disservice by withholding important health information. In particular our obsession with the outdated and harmful gender binary has driven us to do more segregated education instead of all kids together. A practice Europe has actually outlawed based on the evidence. And don’t get me started on the people who campaign against comprehensive sexuality education when they don’t even have kids or don’t live where the curriculum is taught. So, therein lies the rub: how to be the more open and affirming and inclusive parent when it comes to sex ed in American society, when maybe your kid’s classmates or neighbors disagree? Change has to start somewhere. This book can help! Loved the ending of the last chapter a ou envisioning how you want the future to be for your kid: accurate, complete, empowering info at a young age so when they are ready for serious intimate relationships, they are safe, mutually respectful and love-filled.
lovepjonson's review against another edition
4.0
I'd like to give this ~3.5ish stars. It's definitely a very white (American and Dutch) perspective and I wish there was more acknowledgement of that and at least some nods to how cultures other than these two are handling this. As someone who doesn't plan to have kids of my own, I picked this up mostly as a way to try to unlearn what I learned/learn what I didn't learn from my own parents and family. I'd say some of it was pretty basic or things I've heard before, but it's probably a great starter book for people who haven't done more than some cursory self-education. The last chapter has a useful summary/how-to guide for how to talk to kids throughout their life stages.
jeremyhornik's review against another edition
4.0
Well-researched and fervent book in support of better sex ed in America, from the way we talk to toddlers to adults allowing teen sleepovers (with sex). The Dutch approach is put forth as a model. Arguments are well structured, and the tone is very humble and down-to-earth, not preachy or yelly. Worth a few hours of your time, parents.
jenesisreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Started as an audio book and purchased the hard copy a few chapters in. On my first read through, I have learned so much and feel empowered and challenged to reframe how I view sexuality, bodies, and identity. This is going to be a gem in my personal and professional like and I’m ready to reread.
cisca_vanwyk's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
opal360's review against another edition
4.0
I found the book useful and informative and I anticipate that it will influence how and when I handle these kinds of topics. I agreed with many of the writer's arguments, though not every last one.
I wasn't completely sold on the presentation. The first two chapters consisted mainly of the writer reminiscing about her glorious stint as an expat in Amsterdam: you could easily skip those chapters and save time by starting at Chapter 3.
I also felt that she failed on multiple occasions to use plain language - ironically, given that one of her key arguments is that we should use plain language when we discuss these topics. She falls back on informal or elliptical language that left me unclear at times what point she was trying to make.
My hunch is that idiomatic language like this is often specific to a given culture or region and so, while the meaning might be clear to English speakers raised in the US, it will be more opaque for English speakers from other countries. Still, removing some of the cute language would make the narrative easier for everyone to follow.
I wasn't completely sold on the presentation. The first two chapters consisted mainly of the writer reminiscing about her glorious stint as an expat in Amsterdam: you could easily skip those chapters and save time by starting at Chapter 3.
I also felt that she failed on multiple occasions to use plain language - ironically, given that one of her key arguments is that we should use plain language when we discuss these topics. She falls back on informal or elliptical language that left me unclear at times what point she was trying to make.
My hunch is that idiomatic language like this is often specific to a given culture or region and so, while the meaning might be clear to English speakers raised in the US, it will be more opaque for English speakers from other countries. Still, removing some of the cute language would make the narrative easier for everyone to follow.
mark_cc's review against another edition
5.0
I need to stop trying non-fiction on audio. It just is not the right experience.
emilycc's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really surprised this didn't get more press, because I found it interesting on a intellectual and political level and informative, thought-provoking, and relatable as a parent. Rough strikes a nice balance between personal anecdotes and research-based information (although I did wish she'd cited her sources a little more clearly). I think of myself as pretty liberal when it comes to sex ed and still found myself interrogating my own discomfort and hesitation. Lots of usable, practical ideas and some compelling big picture stuff too.
I do wish she'd had more suggestions about ways to push for broader social change, because one thing that really hit home for me is that I can do as an individual parent will only take my child so far - the culture that surrounds her will also impact her perception and understanding of gender, sex, and sexuality.
Very nice audiobook, too.
I do wish she'd had more suggestions about ways to push for broader social change, because one thing that really hit home for me is that I can do as an individual parent will only take my child so far - the culture that surrounds her will also impact her perception and understanding of gender, sex, and sexuality.
Very nice audiobook, too.