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The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality
The classic guide to teen sexuality updated and expanded with information on sexually-transmitted diseases; contraception; sexual abuse; healthy relationships; hotlines and resources; and much more.
- GenresNonfictionParenting
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 1995
About the author
Michael J. Basso
3 books2 followersMichael Basso, MPH, LNC, CSE, CHES, was a health and sexuality teacher in an inner-city school in Miami, Florida, for eight years. He is now a health scientist and public health advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. His national expertise has included youth development, teen pregnancy prevention, and HIV prevention among high-risk and vulnerable youth.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 16, 2016
This book is actually toxic in its repeated insistence that the responsibility for decisions regarding sex - including whether to become a candidate for sexual violence - rests solely on the slender shoulders of teenage girls.
Of the many objections I have to this book, the first comes on page 66. Kevin and Felisha are making out. Kevin makes repeated overtures that Felisha rebuffs in physical and verbal ways - pushing his hand away, saying "I'm not ready." Her eventual acquiescence is, "okay." In the author's analysis of the scenario, he examines each "decision point." And THE ENTIRETY of this discussion about decisions is all about what Felisha did or did not do. Wait, was Kevin not there? Was Felisha making out with an unstoppable robot sex machine?
Not only is this unfair to the Felishas of this world, but it conveys to boys that we have NO expectations of their ability to interpret signals, listen to their partners, or restrain themselves. What is more, after the act, we learn of Felisha's feelings of unease, but Kevin the sex robot has apparently shut down. If we don't acknowledge that in all likelihood, Kevin is feeling some anxiety about what they just did too, we don't give boys permission to think about how they would feel in a similar situation.
And let's not even get into chapter 9.
Of the many objections I have to this book, the first comes on page 66. Kevin and Felisha are making out. Kevin makes repeated overtures that Felisha rebuffs in physical and verbal ways - pushing his hand away, saying "I'm not ready." Her eventual acquiescence is, "okay." In the author's analysis of the scenario, he examines each "decision point." And THE ENTIRETY of this discussion about decisions is all about what Felisha did or did not do. Wait, was Kevin not there? Was Felisha making out with an unstoppable robot sex machine?
Not only is this unfair to the Felishas of this world, but it conveys to boys that we have NO expectations of their ability to interpret signals, listen to their partners, or restrain themselves. What is more, after the act, we learn of Felisha's feelings of unease, but Kevin the sex robot has apparently shut down. If we don't acknowledge that in all likelihood, Kevin is feeling some anxiety about what they just did too, we don't give boys permission to think about how they would feel in a similar situation.
And let's not even get into chapter 9.
June 22, 2015
The Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality might be a great tool to empower *cough straight* teens to make informed decisions about their bodies, sexuality and relationships. I appreciated that Basso focuses on facts and works to discredit a lot of the consumerist, egotistical advertising nonsense that's constantly telling teens what sex and bodies should look and act like. I also liked the Q and A format of the book; I think this style helps teens zero in on their questions without getting too overwhelmed by all the gory facets of the birds and the bees. I also liked the chapters that help teens develop a vocabulary and a matching body language for talking about sex with their potential partners.
However, some terms in the book were outdated; for example, STDs are now called STIs, etc. My biggest criticism of this book is that I think it wouldn't be very helpful for a questioning, gay or bisexual teen. It's crazy that in this 320 page book there's only one vague 5 page chapter on homosexuality! Basso goes into painfully descriptive detail about hetero sex, but entirely omits a discussion on what sex and relationships might look like GLBTQ teens. Throughout the rest of the book Basso's examples are targeted toward the anatomy of heterosexual relationships. Basso uses language like "partner" and "boyfriend/girlfriend," but that I think that may just be catering to the fact that this book is intended to be read by both guys and girls, rather than actually being inclusive of all sexual orientations. I don't think this book does much to help GLBTQ teens understand themselves, nor does it help straight teens understand their GLBTQ peers. So, while I liked the no nonsense, practical tone of the Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality, I think it would be best used in conjunction with other books that address the full spectrum of sexuality.
However, some terms in the book were outdated; for example, STDs are now called STIs, etc. My biggest criticism of this book is that I think it wouldn't be very helpful for a questioning, gay or bisexual teen. It's crazy that in this 320 page book there's only one vague 5 page chapter on homosexuality! Basso goes into painfully descriptive detail about hetero sex, but entirely omits a discussion on what sex and relationships might look like GLBTQ teens. Throughout the rest of the book Basso's examples are targeted toward the anatomy of heterosexual relationships. Basso uses language like "partner" and "boyfriend/girlfriend," but that I think that may just be catering to the fact that this book is intended to be read by both guys and girls, rather than actually being inclusive of all sexual orientations. I don't think this book does much to help GLBTQ teens understand themselves, nor does it help straight teens understand their GLBTQ peers. So, while I liked the no nonsense, practical tone of the Underground Guide to Teenage Sexuality, I think it would be best used in conjunction with other books that address the full spectrum of sexuality.
June 28, 2014
This book is too dated for modern teens.
Please note that my review is of the 1997 edition. I have no idea if the updated versions have removed or changed some of the more problematic elements.
The language in this edition is stilted, the medical and legal information is obsolete, the chapter on homosexuality feels particularly dated, and there's a nasty bit of slut shaming in chapter 9, in which the authors tells girls that they can help avoid rape by changing the way they dress and dance.
The author may have had good intentions, but it's hard to imagine this book feeling fresh or progressive even in 1997, let alone now, when the culture of teenagers has been changed so much by the Internet, mobile devices, porn, and so on.
One thing I did like in this book was the description of heterosexual intercourse....
"Intercourse takes place when the erect penis is inserted into the vagina. The male may continue to slide his erect penis in and out of the female's vagina, or the female may slide her vagina back and forth on the male's penis."
It's rare to find a book that acknowledges that, yes, women and girls can also take the active role in intercourse, that they need not be passive recipients.
But other than that, there's not much to recommend this book. I'd recommend something that is more modern and inclusive of all teenagers, such as S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College by Heather Corinna.
Please note that my review is of the 1997 edition. I have no idea if the updated versions have removed or changed some of the more problematic elements.
The language in this edition is stilted, the medical and legal information is obsolete, the chapter on homosexuality feels particularly dated, and there's a nasty bit of slut shaming in chapter 9, in which the authors tells girls that they can help avoid rape by changing the way they dress and dance.
The author may have had good intentions, but it's hard to imagine this book feeling fresh or progressive even in 1997, let alone now, when the culture of teenagers has been changed so much by the Internet, mobile devices, porn, and so on.
One thing I did like in this book was the description of heterosexual intercourse....
"Intercourse takes place when the erect penis is inserted into the vagina. The male may continue to slide his erect penis in and out of the female's vagina, or the female may slide her vagina back and forth on the male's penis."
It's rare to find a book that acknowledges that, yes, women and girls can also take the active role in intercourse, that they need not be passive recipients.
But other than that, there's not much to recommend this book. I'd recommend something that is more modern and inclusive of all teenagers, such as S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College by Heather Corinna.
December 17, 2020
I wanted a queer-inclusive, sex-positive book for my kids as they approached this age. This book is not it. I went through and annotated the copy to give to them though, adding a lot of information, commentary, and corrections. I think it'll be good for them to see me talking back to the "authority" and putting our family's values into the conversation.
July 30, 2010
I wish I had this book on my shelf when I was teaching because it would always be checked out. The questions it addresses are exactly like the ones I was asked and Basso is able to answer them in a conversational tone that is neither intellectual nor condescending. Basso has a casual flow with language that allows him to joke and be serious while addressing potentially embarrassing issues for teens. I also appreciated the fact that Basso acknowledges that some opinions about sexuality can be personal or religious in nature and he recommends talking with parents about these issues.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews