About the Book
With humor and an emphasis on responsibility, Spare Me 'The Talk'! A Guy's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Growing Up is a comprehensive crash course in sex and sexuality, written for guys, by a guy. This newly updated and expanded version is unflinchingly honest and perfect for a teen just interested in the facts, or a parent wanting to start the conversation.
If you have a teenage boy, there's a 50 percent chance that he's already sexually active, and a 33 percent chance that he's been solicited by an online predator in the past year. How prepared is he for the risks and realities of sex? Unflinchingly honest, unfailingly complete, immensely readable (and often funny), Spare Me 'The Talk'! is the first book of its kind by a guy, for guys ages 12-24, and for parents of boys as young as 8.
With real-world stats and tips for both parents and their sons, this is not the typical, "what's happening down there?" book with a blue cover instead of a pink one. It's a comprehensive crash course for boys on staying safe -- emotionally, mentally, and physically -- while navigating the danger-laden worlds of teenage sex and sexuality in a digital age.
Your teen will learn proven, effective ways to:
Avoid pregnancy, and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
Stay safe online and avoid sexual harm
Ask someone out (and let someone down easy)
Understand bodies and body issues, both male and female
Accept that sexuality comes in all shapes and sizes
Know the consequences of abstinence, indulgence, and everything in between
Decide what is right for him, remaining true to himself and respectful of others
With a strong moral compass, veteran sex educator Jo Langford offers a powerful supplement to those notoriously awkward parent-guy sex talks, answering the tough questions that teenage guys really have -- but may be too embarrassed to ask.
About the Author :
Jo Langford, M.A., is a dad, a sex educator, and a public speaker. He is a master's level therapist in Washington State, and is a member of the adjunct human sexuality faculty for Saybrook University's Washington campus. For the past 25 years, Jo has worked with adolescents, parents, and professionals to promote healthy, positive, and safe sexual behavior. He specializes in the intersection of youth, sexuality, technology, and behavior, providing therapy to adolescents dealing with sexuality issues, as well as offering comprehensive sexuality education for tween and teen boys and their families.
Review :
. . . a vital addition to the field of sexuality education. Langford's book is likely the most comprehensive and inclusive primer on adolescent male sexuality currently available . . . a significant and perhaps singular contribution to the library of adolescent male sexual education guides available. (American Journal of Sexuality Education) I applaud Jo Langford for publishing a book for young guys that is not some book for girls with a blue cover instead of a pink one. It has humor and heart and candor, and it recognizes that the 750,000 teen girls who get pregnant each year don't do it alone. If we are going to continue to make the kind of progress we've been making, we will need to keep young men engaged and motivated. We aren't there yet, but I hope we are on the way. (MARISA NIGHTINGALE, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy)
Finally, a sex-ed book for young men that is down-to-earth, informative, factual, and funny . . . all the earmarks for an accessible book on sexuality! (ALLENA GABOSCH, The Center for Sex Positive Culture)
Jo Langford knows how to write for young men in a way that is funny and respectful, teachy but not preachy. Not only does he teach young men how to make more empowering choices, he also discusses how to keep safe -- a much-overlooked topic for young men. Parents of boys: Read this book! . . . then give it to your son. Young men: Read this book! . . . then lend it to your friends. (LAURA RAD, Sex educator and host of the Sex Is Fun podcast)
This book goes well beyond the basic birds-and-bees conversation you had with your tween. Do you want them taking their questions about sex to their friends or the Internet? Or a book that you can both use that has solid, factual information with a focus on health? I thought so. Me, too." (SHANNAN YOUNGER, Tween Us blog, ChicagoNow.com)
Sex is a fun, complicated, confusing, and amazing part of life. This book is exactly what you need to be really ready when it happens. You are in good hands with Jo's practical advice -- he's just like your parent, only better, because he's not.{ (AMY LANG, M.A., author of Dating Smarts: What Every Teen Needs to Know to Date, Relate or Wait!)
