Rafe Gibbons

I would not recommend this book to any Catholic parent. It has some very troubling ideas inside which do not align with Catholic teaching on sexuality. The book completely overlooks moral and spiritual dangers and comes across more as a secular book on sexuality with a focus on mere scientific explanations. We are warned of the biological or psychological harms of such things as pornography, sexual relations outside marriage, contraception and yet there is zero reference to the Catholic understanding of these things as grave moral evils. As an example, the best explanation given for the dangers of pornography is that it could cause an addiction, create unrealistic ideas about sexual experiences, and exploit "models" (prostitutes) working in the industry. Will such an explanation protect one's child from the temptation of porn, against the vice of lust, and a habitual attachment to the same? I think not! Likewise, the dangers of STDs seem only to be physical according to the author. And the dangers of having sexual relations outside of marriage seem to only be that one could end having an unsatisfying relationship. When it comes to contraception, the author repeatedly confuses the reader by lumping together the action to stop implantation of a fertilised egg with contraceptive techniques. This error could scandalise children into thinking that destroying a human life is a form of contraception and undermine the Church's teaching that life begins at conception. One section on condoms has a cartoon picture of a worm with a hat on, to trivialise condoms for children and to encourage a light-hearted regard towards an evil instrument designed to interrupt God's intention to bring new souls into creation. Elsewhere, disordered adolescent homosexual tendencies are labelled "same-sex crushes" which can only be helped by "affirm[ing] them through the warmth of friendship". NFP is promoted as an intrinsic good when in fact the Church is actually very specific about using it in certain situations where there is a grave reason. It should certainly only be used with the guidance of a priest. I admit there are some positives in the book but taken as a whole, this introduction to sexuality would be dangerous to any child. It is certainly not in alignment with Catholic teaching and would not be out of place on the bookshelf in a secular home.