Sex Educated

Sex Educated: Letters from a Latter-day Saint Therapist to Her Younger Self is a fine example of how to delicately and appropriately discuss matters of sexuality with girls and women. By using the approach of writing letters to her younger self as a frame for teaching about sexuality the author presents sexuality in a wonderful tone from a trusted source. She does so with an engaging and gradual discussion of sexual maturity for younger girls and then transitions to a more direct description of sexuality as her letters progress to her older self. In this way the added level of directness does not come across as jarring or inappropriate, rather it is just a natural progression like sexuality development is in life. It is a good model for parents to follow in their attempts to educate children. Additionally, by having consistent discussion across the lifespan this book includes enough detail to be much more useful than the general talk about sexuality many parents are prone to give in their awkward "birds and bees" discussion, yet this additional detail is in no way tawdry or inappropriate. It includes discussing specific body parts and purposes, ways of managing sexual arousal and desire during adolescence and dating relationships, learning to adjust to sexuality during marriage, challenges that may occur during pregnancy and child rearing and aging, and above all the importance of expressing sexuality in a way that honors the needs of women within a spiritual framework. I think this is an invaluable book for both mothers and fathers and daughters.

-Dr. Dean Busby, Director of BYU's School of Family Life