Making Sense of It: A Guide to Sex for Teens (and Their Parents, Too!)

"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".

Alison Macklin has been with the Responsible Sex Education Institute at the Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) for over fourteen years and is currently vice president of education and innovation. Macklin is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader in sex education and holds a Master's in Social Work from the University of Denver. She is a mother of two who lives in Colorado.