The Sex Lives of Teenagers: Revealing the Secret World of Adolescent Boys and Girls

by Lynn Ponton

Book Overview

A leading adolescent psychiatrist shares her observations on teen sexuality, addressing both parental fears and teen anxieties, desires, and opinions as she discusses such topics as sexual orientation, abortion, pregnancy, dating, and gender roles.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452282608
• ISBN13: 9780452282605
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 285 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

An Indispensable Guide to Adolescent Sexuality

After reading the New York Times January 15th article on Dr. Ponton, I decided to read The Sex Lives of Teenagers: Revealing the Secret World of Adolescent Boys and Girls. I found it to be sensitive, even-handed, and clear. The stories themselves are frank, which may make some readers uncomfortable. However, I felt that this was an honest portrayal of adolescent sexuality, ranging the spectrum of `typical' to extreme. At times touching, at times chilling, and always elucidating, I am very thankful, as a parent, to have discovered Dr. Ponton's work. I have often felt lost and uncertain about which role to assume as a parent of teenage children. Dr. Ponton modeled, in a very direct way, a more effective, respectful way of communicating with adolescents. The Sex Lives of Teenagers is a major step on the road to understanding what so many people simply dismiss as incapable of being understood - the teenage mind. I consider this book required reading for all parents of adolescents.

review from CA teen

Reading "The Sex Lives of Teenagers", I recognized my own fears about sex. It is the first book that has talked about it like it really is, bringing up not only the fun parts, but the tough spots that I myself have been in. This book honestly discusses pregnancy, masturbation and questions about being gay. It has been really helpful to me and I recommend it to other teens.

Great book for parents to share with teens

When I read Dr. Ponton's book, the stories of her patients were so close to my actual experiences as a teen that I was thrilled someone had finaly "gotten it".I plan to give this book to my parents and my 16 year-old sister, and strongly recommend it to teens and parents to be used as a tool for more open communtication about some often difficult isses. The writing was simple, frank, and not too clincal. To anyone who is a teen or cares about a teen it will be an easy and engaging read.

An indepth understanding of adolescents' sexuality

Ponton offers an indepth exploration of adolescent sexuality. She captures the depth of conflicting attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that adolescents experience with respect to sexuality. Moreover, she provides clear vignettes to elucidate central psychiatric principles and public health implications of adolescent sexality. Her writing style is smooth, evenly paced, with a touch of the therapists' interpretative analysis. In addition, she mixes case studies with empirical research in adolescent sexuality as adeptly as anyone. The finished product is entertaining, informative and, at times, unnerving. However readers may view the book, it is a tour de force and a welcomed opportunity to shed some light on a subject that for far too long has been hidden. Bravo!

A Terrific Book

Lynn Ponton seems to have her finger right on the pulse of today's teenagers. Parents who want to know what is going on in a world they see but do not understand ought to read this book right away. It is a real gift to all of us.