Teen Sex: Reality Check. (Book Review).

Stephen J. Genuis, M.D. and Shelagh K. Genuis, BScOT, Teen Sex: Reality Check, Sexual Behaviour & STDs in the 21st. Century, Edmonton, AB, Winfield House Publishing, 2002,148 pages, $17.95 Cdn.

This excellent book is easy to read and to understand. It presents the scientifically established facts as to how sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are transmitted and how to prevent their spread. It is addressed primarily to parents, educators and health care givers, but teens and others would also greatly benefit from reading this text.

The relevant scientific facts are presented directly, and also by the use of case presentations, medical research (229 references), and anecdotes. A useful account is given of the common STDs, their cause, mode of transmission, and often dire pathological, psychological, social and economic consequences. To prevent these diseases from occurring, the standard "comprehensive sex education" recommends the use of the condom and of other "barrier" methods. However, it is known that these methods do not effectively lessen the spread of STDs, and in fact, offer no protection at all against the spread of human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes almost all cases of cancer of the cervix, which is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. These methods also fail to lower the spread of the herpes virus, which affects 20% of the adult population of the U.S.

A key point is made that educators and health care givers do not recommend that teens avoid sexual intercourse until marriage, which is the only certain way of preventing the spread of STDs. To do so would, in the minds of the 'sex ed' establishment, be judgmental. Sex educators take the view that teens will not listen to advice to abstain from sexual intercourse. This failure to advise against promiscuous sexual activity is hard to understand, because many recent studies have shown that adolescents can and will make health based decisions in the area of sexuality, if they receive direct information which encourages health oriented decision making.

The book also emphasizes the importance of research into the causes contributing to the rise in teen sex. Important factors are; drug and alcohol use, divorce/separation of parents, violence in the home, abuse, a low level of religious involvement, and failure of the parents to discuss sexuality, early dating, and peer pressure from close friends who are sexually active. For all of these reasons, parental love and guidance are all important.

In summary, this book gives a clear account of the main factors which lead to promiscuous teen sexual behavior and describes the consequences of this behaviour and the various ways which have been recommended in which such behavior can be discouraged or prevented. The main point the book makes, is that" ... it is optimal from a health perspective ... for sexual intimacy to be confined to a mutually committed long-term monogamous relationship, generally known as marriage." The book has been written in a spirit of integrity which respects both the scientific and moral truth, and written also with a profound sense of compassion and regard for those suffering from sexually transmitted disease. It is highly recommended.