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Epidemic: How Teen Sex Is Killing Our Kids
In this groundbreaking book Dr. Meeker uncovers the story of the serious epidemic of sexually transmitted disease and the pattern of political correctness and marketing hype that has caused this tidal wave of disease.
- GenresParentingNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2002
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206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 2, 2013
I read this book after reading Meeker's Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters and this book is a hard read. Here, Meeker gives us the cold hard facts about STD's, the increasing popularity of oral sex, and the shocking truth: that condoms DON'T solve all our propblems and the media is a strong influence on today's teens.
But the real message of this book is taking parents to task, emphasizing setting good examples for their own teens, giving up their sexual partners and recommitting themselves to their marriages and spending more time talking and listening to our teens. This is what will make all the difference in the world to keeping teens safe, NOT a bunch of sex education classes and a pocket full of condoms.
She reveals the lies: peer and media pressure on today's teens are shouting that the only way to define themselves, the only way to fill the emptiness inside themselves, is by having sex. She shares story after story of the teen patients she's seen who ruined their lives, spiraled into deep, dark depression, and may never have children of their own all because they thought having sex like they saw on TV and in the movies, without committment, sans responsiblity, wasn't such a big deal. Now they're caught in a life threatening STD and are paying the price. Where is the outrage? Why is no one talking about this? Hence, she sat down and wrote this book.
So that's the bottom line: sex IS a big deal and we are failing our children by not teaching them the wisdom in self control, of saving themselves for marriage. Sending the message that we value them NOT for their superficial qualities but who we, the caring concerned adults in their lives see them as: beautiful, special people who are going to grow up and do great things one day. Let's not encourage them to make the same bad choices we made in the '60's that will ruin those opportunites. It's time for the pendulum to swing the other way now.
But the real message of this book is taking parents to task, emphasizing setting good examples for their own teens, giving up their sexual partners and recommitting themselves to their marriages and spending more time talking and listening to our teens. This is what will make all the difference in the world to keeping teens safe, NOT a bunch of sex education classes and a pocket full of condoms.
She reveals the lies: peer and media pressure on today's teens are shouting that the only way to define themselves, the only way to fill the emptiness inside themselves, is by having sex. She shares story after story of the teen patients she's seen who ruined their lives, spiraled into deep, dark depression, and may never have children of their own all because they thought having sex like they saw on TV and in the movies, without committment, sans responsiblity, wasn't such a big deal. Now they're caught in a life threatening STD and are paying the price. Where is the outrage? Why is no one talking about this? Hence, she sat down and wrote this book.
So that's the bottom line: sex IS a big deal and we are failing our children by not teaching them the wisdom in self control, of saving themselves for marriage. Sending the message that we value them NOT for their superficial qualities but who we, the caring concerned adults in their lives see them as: beautiful, special people who are going to grow up and do great things one day. Let's not encourage them to make the same bad choices we made in the '60's that will ruin those opportunites. It's time for the pendulum to swing the other way now.
May 17, 2007
this whole book was based on this particular authors completely out of date reality of teen sex today. i had to stop reading half way through i was so disgusted.
April 20, 2021
Excellent read for parents
This book is definitely a must read for all parents . Gives you insight on what teens go though and what to expect or not expect . I love all of her books . Very educational
This book is definitely a must read for all parents . Gives you insight on what teens go though and what to expect or not expect . I love all of her books . Very educational
March 9, 2012
This is NOT easy to read! It IS important though. I found the very intro chilling . . . The suthor points out to the reader I am not an Ob/Gyn writing about this I am a Pediatrician seeing CHILDREN in the suburbs with STDs.
October 16, 2008
I just kind of flipped through and read the parts that I thought were interesting. Good information but not really fun to read.
Currently reading
March 24, 2009This book is not what I expected.
June 21, 2009
Another eye-opening book into the lives of young men and women, the myths that are fed to them, and the consequences they have to face.
February 14, 2011
Amen to abstinence.
August 2, 2011
What a great insight into the sexual life of teens and the impact it is having on them.
November 21, 2017
A must read for parents. Dr. Meg Meeker provides a professional and somewhat grim look at the state of sexuality in our nation and why safe sex doesn't work.
January 21, 2016
The author reviews the medical aspects of teen sex, providing specific examples of patients she worked with.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews