What do you think?
Rate this book
Making Sense of "It": A Guide to Sex for Teens
"Making Sense if 'It' is the Our Bodies, Our Selves for today: comprehensive, unbiased, medically accurate, and respectful. This should be on the bookshelf and nightstand of every household." --Pat Paluzzi, DrPH, CNM, President and CEO Healthy Teen Network
Maybe you learned about sex in school--anatomy, pregnancy, and STIs, right? You might think you've learned all there is to know, but there's so much more to sex than just "doing it." What about masturbation, is that OK? Are you dirty for having sexual fantasies? What about kissing, giving a blowjob, or taking the pill--are they safe? What if you touch someone's penis, can you get pregnant? If you douche after sex, you won't get pregnant . . . right?
Making Sense of "It" goes beyond the basics of the birds and the bees to give teens a realistic, no-holds barred, nonjudgmental guide on everything to do with sex and sexuality. With this book, teens can learn about it all, from the best contraception methods to what to expect at a clinic and the signs of an unhealthy relationship. Alison Macklin draws on her years of experience at Planned Parenthood to address everything teens want to and should know in a straightforward, open-minded, and sex-positive manner. Even better, "Conversation Starters" in each chapter give teens and parents a chance to test their knowledge and useful tips to help talk about sex in a way that works for them.
In a world where teens are bombarded with bad information on social media and are made to feel ashamed of something so natural, Making Sense of "It" offers trustworthy, gender-neutral advice on how to be safe, informed, and honest about "it".
Maybe you learned about sex in school--anatomy, pregnancy, and STIs, right? You might think you've learned all there is to know, but there's so much more to sex than just "doing it." What about masturbation, is that OK? Are you dirty for having sexual fantasies? What about kissing, giving a blowjob, or taking the pill--are they safe? What if you touch someone's penis, can you get pregnant? If you douche after sex, you won't get pregnant . . . right?
Making Sense of "It" goes beyond the basics of the birds and the bees to give teens a realistic, no-holds barred, nonjudgmental guide on everything to do with sex and sexuality. With this book, teens can learn about it all, from the best contraception methods to what to expect at a clinic and the signs of an unhealthy relationship. Alison Macklin draws on her years of experience at Planned Parenthood to address everything teens want to and should know in a straightforward, open-minded, and sex-positive manner. Even better, "Conversation Starters" in each chapter give teens and parents a chance to test their knowledge and useful tips to help talk about sex in a way that works for them.
In a world where teens are bombarded with bad information on social media and are made to feel ashamed of something so natural, Making Sense of "It" offers trustworthy, gender-neutral advice on how to be safe, informed, and honest about "it".
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2018
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 28, 2018
Making Sense of “It” by Alison Macklin is a new guide to help you navigate sex ed with your kids.
Sex is an uncomfortable topic for many and this book offers a great outline of what and how to discuss various topics surrounding sexuality with our children.
I learned about sex in school. The very basics with a little film strip in 5th grade. And health class in 9th grade—anatomy, STIs, and pregnancy – from the football coach!
Our kids have lots of questions about sex.
It’s up to me as a parent to be available to answer questions and even initiate a conversation about sex.
What about masturbation? Is it ok to have sexual fantasies? What about kissing, blowjobs, or taking The Pill? If you touch someone’s penis, can you get pregnant? If you douche after sex, you won’t get pregnant…right? Is porn ever ok?
Making Sense of “It” goes beyond the basics of the birds and the bees to give teens a realistic, no-holds barred, nonjudgmental guide on everything having to do with sex and sexuality. With this book, teens can learn about “it” all from the best contraception methods to what to expect at a clinic, even to the signs of an unhealthy relationship.
In a world where teens are bombarded with bad information on social media, are meant to feel ashamed of something so natural, Making Sense of “It” counters that with trustworthy, gender-neutral advice on how to be safe, informed, and honest about “it.”
I want my kids to have healthy relationships and that includes a healthy sexuality. We don’t buy into the evangelical purity movement. I want my kids to have real information and I have to feel comfortable talking about it and answering the hard questions. If I don’t help my kids navigate through these waters, they will Google it, ask their peers, or find the information they seek somewhere and it might not be the best answer.
This book may not be for everyone but these topics come up more and more – on social media, in classrooms, at college, in youth group, Sunday school, the playground. I want my kids to have a good, healthy foundation about their personal values before they are bombarded with uncomfortable circumstances.
I like the conversation starters at the end of each chapter. They can be used as an outright script, or as a journaling activity, or as a casual conversation.
The introduction is entitled “Dear Teen” and it is perfect.
Nineteen chapters cover most sexual topics in this 2018 climate. The last chapter offers resources for more info.
I feel this is a book that should be introduced to tweens and revisited often with teens by parents, keeping an open conversation throughout the growing years.
It’s important to discuss healthy relationships when so few of my generation had a model or knows how.
Sex is an uncomfortable topic for many and this book offers a great outline of what and how to discuss various topics surrounding sexuality with our children.
I learned about sex in school. The very basics with a little film strip in 5th grade. And health class in 9th grade—anatomy, STIs, and pregnancy – from the football coach!
Our kids have lots of questions about sex.
It’s up to me as a parent to be available to answer questions and even initiate a conversation about sex.
What about masturbation? Is it ok to have sexual fantasies? What about kissing, blowjobs, or taking The Pill? If you touch someone’s penis, can you get pregnant? If you douche after sex, you won’t get pregnant…right? Is porn ever ok?
Making Sense of “It” goes beyond the basics of the birds and the bees to give teens a realistic, no-holds barred, nonjudgmental guide on everything having to do with sex and sexuality. With this book, teens can learn about “it” all from the best contraception methods to what to expect at a clinic, even to the signs of an unhealthy relationship.
In a world where teens are bombarded with bad information on social media, are meant to feel ashamed of something so natural, Making Sense of “It” counters that with trustworthy, gender-neutral advice on how to be safe, informed, and honest about “it.”
I want my kids to have healthy relationships and that includes a healthy sexuality. We don’t buy into the evangelical purity movement. I want my kids to have real information and I have to feel comfortable talking about it and answering the hard questions. If I don’t help my kids navigate through these waters, they will Google it, ask their peers, or find the information they seek somewhere and it might not be the best answer.
This book may not be for everyone but these topics come up more and more – on social media, in classrooms, at college, in youth group, Sunday school, the playground. I want my kids to have a good, healthy foundation about their personal values before they are bombarded with uncomfortable circumstances.
I like the conversation starters at the end of each chapter. They can be used as an outright script, or as a journaling activity, or as a casual conversation.
The introduction is entitled “Dear Teen” and it is perfect.
Nineteen chapters cover most sexual topics in this 2018 climate. The last chapter offers resources for more info.
I feel this is a book that should be introduced to tweens and revisited often with teens by parents, keeping an open conversation throughout the growing years.
It’s important to discuss healthy relationships when so few of my generation had a model or knows how.
April 3, 2023
Okay I picked this up at the library on a whim because I love to pick random books in the non-fiction section, but unironically this was an extremely informative book and I think every single person should have to read it. I already considered myself relatively educated in sex ed, but I still learned a ton. A super good overview and written in an approachable (albeit occasionally cringe, but in a sort of cool-aunt-trying-to-talk-to-you) way.
Also the human body is so insane.
Also the human body is so insane.
November 28, 2018
At the end of the day every person (and every family) has their own thoughts and feelings about sex. Sex is still a taboo subject among many people, especially as it relates to minors. Each approach is different and each child will have different needs at different ages... which is why this book is so amazing. It places the power in the hands of parents (and teens) to learn and talk about sex at a pace and in a way that is best for them.
Parents, don't let your kids learn about the birds and the bees from the media and their friends, which can often lead to a lot of misinformation (and a lot of bad life choices down the road). Instead, with Making Sense of "It," take the power of sex ed into your own hands and make sure your teen is learning the lessons that are best for them! From anatomy to proper pronoun use to sexual assault, this book covers it all and will open doorways for further discussion -- and, most importantly of all, will help improve your relationship with your teen(s)!
Parents, don't let your kids learn about the birds and the bees from the media and their friends, which can often lead to a lot of misinformation (and a lot of bad life choices down the road). Instead, with Making Sense of "It," take the power of sex ed into your own hands and make sure your teen is learning the lessons that are best for them! From anatomy to proper pronoun use to sexual assault, this book covers it all and will open doorways for further discussion -- and, most importantly of all, will help improve your relationship with your teen(s)!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews