November 28, 2007
Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood?
Last month I reviewed Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, by Logan Levkoff, a book about teaching our children about sex. I loved Logan’s book because she offers advice and suggestions to parents on how to to talk to their kids about sex according to their values.
I believe Logan’s book is valuable to all parents, even those with strong religious beliefs, because it does not push a political or religious agenda and gives parents the facts and resources they’ll need to answer honestly when their children ask about sex.
Very recently, I was contacted by Michael Hichborn, the media director for American Life League. Michael was contacting pro-life and Catholic bloggers to ask if they would consider posting content and videos intended to shed light on several issues regarding abortion, sex and Planned Parenthood.
Before I agreed to do so, I asked what the content of each video would be, and when he sent the link to the first video I was surprised to learn that Planned Parenthood was endorsing a book titled It’s Perfectly Normal that displays sexually explicit cartoon images on it’s pages. The cover of the book states “for ages 10 and up”.
I played the video and at first thought the book was harmless — until I saw the images, as well as a sentence about masturbation that states, “And some religions call masturbation a sin. But masturbating cannot hurt you.” This statement upsets me because of it’s blatant attack on religion. Planned Parenthood couldn’t find a way to give factual information about masturbation without denouncing religion? If this isn’t a political agenda, I don’t know what is.
Many readers know that I’m an active member of the Catholic church. My beliefs regarding sex and abortion are based on my faith, therefore I personally could never use this book as a reference when talking to my son about sex.
Strip away the religion factor and what’s left is a book that is targeting children who may not be mature enough to understand the content.
This book definitely consists of mature, more adult-themed concepts. I would be extremely upset if this book was used in sexual education classes without parental consent, and even angrier if my son or daughter found this book in the school library. When will Planned Parenthood realize that parents have the right to determine what is best for their minor children?
I understand not all parents are able to discuss sex with their kids. I understand that children will contact others when they have questions they can’t ask their parents. But I feel that these “other persons” have a responsibility to talk to the parents, and let them know what is happening with their children, so they can make the effort to understand and answer their questions.
It’s disgusting to see reports about young girls having abortions without parental consent. It makes me sick that Planned Parenthood will perform an abortion, and not report all cases of statutory rape if they “don’t ask and don’t tell”. Enough is enough. Planned Parenthood has indeed gone too far.
I went to Amazon.com and read some of the book’s reviews by other parents.
JGM wrote:
“I didn’t have to read this book to know that it was far too much for my 11 year old daughter. If you believe that cartoon characters in explicit illustrations including people have missionary sex, oral sex, wearing condoms is appropriate for your age 9-11 year old child, then I would recommend you buy the book. However, if you believe that the subject should be dealt with sensitivity and a bit more seriousness, I would most certainly not recommend this ridiculous book. I returned the book to Amazon.”
V. Christensen wrote:
“This book is well done, but definitely too mature for my eleven year old son. I think it will be a good resource when he starts going through puberty. Not all the views expressed are those of my own, so I will always sit down with my son and go over this book together. There are a lot of graphic illustrations which may be too much for some families. I think it is well put together and can help answer some of those uncomfortable questions kids have. I recommend the book, but it should be accompanied by parental supervision and content awareness.”
QueenBean84 wrote:
“I started reading this book with my 9-year old son. At first I was embarrassed by the pictures and text. My son was perfectly fine! To him, it was just another science book! This books presents sexual information in a way that pre-teens can understand. I feel better knowing that my son got the correct information from me rather than incorrect information from his friends. I could not have done this without this book.”
(I think that if pictures in a book make a parent feel embarrassed, chances are it’s not appropriate to share with children. If I am (as a parent) not comfortable talking about sex to begin with, using a book with explicit information isn’t going to be any better. However, kudos to this mom for getting over her fear.)
But, what Ginger Parker wrote really struck me:
“When I was about 5 as a little girl I was playing at another kid’s house. That other kid was 5 years older and MUCH larger than me. She told me that she wanted to show me something and that it was a secret. I was excited about a “secret” and wanted to see. She led me into her room and closed and locked the door behind her. Her room was cluttered like any kids room and she pulled a book from underneath some small blankets on the floor. It was a book with cartoon pictures inside. They were cartoon drawings of boys and girls similar to the ones in this book. Some of those pictures included vague sexual activities. As a child I was curious about the book and in awe of what it showed. I was too young to understand all the words and I do not remember much of what I did understand. I remember reading the word sex, but that is the only one that I can confirm.
While viewing the book she said “I have an idea. Let’s try these!” and pointed to a man and a woman having sex in missionary position and another photo of a girl having oral sex performed by another man. I told her that I did not want to try those and that they did not make me feel comfortable.
Unfortunately the whole event is something that I remember in great detail to this day (21 years later). I will not go into great detail, but I was forced to perform those actions, among others shown in the book. To this day I can remember the smells and tastes and the physical pain as I was being hit and my hair pulled when not complying and to put me where she wanted me to be. I remember the weight of her body as she forced herself down upon me so hard that I could not get away or even move.
I had not put much thought into the incident in my adult years. I remember it, but did not feel the pain… until I saw this book. It is books like these that portray sex to children in such a way that they want to explore it aggressively for themselves. And if they cannot find cooperative partners they will make one. It could be the neighbor’s boy, it could be their sister, or their cousin. You may say, “No, not my child.”, but I believe that children will do very bad things sometimes because they don’t understand it. In this books case it would be condoned and therefore it might be ok to go farther because the people in the pictures were doing it.”
You can read the full reviews here.
I understand that many people will have different opinions. Below is the video from the American Life League, as well as a copy of the press release.
American Life League releases video report on children’s sex book
WASHINGTON, D.C. · November 19, 2007 / PRNewswire / – “Parents need to know what Planned Parenthood has in store for their children and this report is an excellent starting point,” said Jim Sedlak, vice president of American Life League. “The book ‘It’s Perfectly Normal’ is obscene and offensive to Christians.”
American Life League’s second video report exposes the contents of the book “It’s Perfectly Normal.” Recently, a Washington State Prison rejected a fundraising letter that included censored images from the book for being “sexually explicit” and “obscene.”
American Life League released the report as a part of its continuing effort to educate the public on Planned Parenthood’s activities.
“This video report is just the beginning,” said Sedlak. “We will continue to use this new media to expose the nation’s largest abortion chain and we call on Christians across the nation to join us in putting a stop to tax payer funds for Planned Parenthood.”
For the truth about Planned Parenthood, check out these related links:
Protect Your Children - exposing Planned Parenthood’s war on childhood innocence
Sign our petition to end tax funding for Planned Parenthood
Get the Wednesday STOPP Report
Help us continue with these releases
See the ad information that a Washington State Prison rejected
If you’d like to see what Planned Parenthood has to say about this book, you can find an interview with the author here.
I strongly recommend Logan Levkoff’s book, Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, if you’re looking for a resource to use when talking to your children about sex.
For Catholic parents (and those who want a reference book about sex and abstinence), I recommend Sex, Love and You: Making the Right Decision by Thomas and Judith Lickona.
———-
This post is intended to pass on the message that Planned Parenthood has gone too far with the endorsement of the book It’s Perfectly Normal. There are some great services that Planned Parenthood health centers provide, such as high-quality gynecological care, STI/STD testing and treatment, and pregnancy testing, and I believe that women are entitled to these services if they are unable to find them elsewhere.
However, I do not support abortion, distributing birth control pills to minors or the offering of emergency contraception. I understand, and accept, that not all persons reading this post will agree with my beliefs; please consider the nature of your comments before posting.
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November 28th, 2007 at 1:59 pm, sexual health » Blog Archive » Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 2:05 pm, Blogging Business Live, everything about markets! » Archivio Blog » Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Sales Training Forum • SalesPractice.com wrote an interesting post today!.Here’s a quick excerpt Last month I reviewed Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, by Logan Levkoff, a book about teaching our children about sex. I loved Logan’s book because she offers advice and suggestions to parents on how to to talk to their kids about sex according to their values. I believe Logan’s book is valuable to all parents, even those with strong religious beliefs, because it does not push a political or religious agenda and gives parents the facts and resources they’ll need to answer honestly when the [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 2:15 pm, kher » Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt Last month I reviewed Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, by Logan Levkoff, a book about teaching our children about sex. I loved Logan’s book because she offers advice and suggestions to parents on how to to talk to their kids about sex according to their values. I believe Logan’s book is valuable to all parents, even those with strong religious beliefs, because it does not push a political or religious agenda and gives parents the facts and resources they’ll need to answer honestly when the [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 2:37 pm, Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Original post by The Dana Files [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 2:48 pm, University Update - YouTube - Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? » This Summary is from an article posted at The Dana Files on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 This [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 2:53 pm, milner » Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt Last month I reviewed Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, by Logan Levkoff, a book about teaching our children about sex. I loved Logan’s book because she offers advice and suggestions to parents on how to to talk to their kids about sex according to their values. I believe Logan’s book is valuable to all parents, even those with strong religious beliefs, because it does not push a political or religious agenda and gives parents the facts and resources they’ll need to answer honestly when the [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 3:03 pm, Skhulz » Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt Last month I reviewed Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, by Logan Levkoff, a book about teaching our children about sex. I loved Logan’s book because she offers advice and suggestions to parents on how to to talk to their kids about sex according to their values. I believe Logan’s book is valuable to all parents, even those with strong religious beliefs, because it does not push a political or religious agenda and gives parents the facts and resources they’ll need to answer honestly when the [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 3:24 pm, aarondaniel652 » Sexually Explicit Book Endorsed by Planned Parenthood? Says:
[...] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt Last month I reviewed Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, by Logan Levkoff, a book about teaching our children about sex. I loved Logan’s book because she offers advice and suggestions to parents on how to to talk to their kids about sex according to their values. I believe Logan’s book is valuable to all parents, even those with strong religious beliefs, because it does not push a political or religious agenda and gives parents the facts and resources they’ll need to answer honestly when the [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 5:04 pm, Julie Pippert Says:
From another POV…the statement about religions and masturbation appear factual. Many religions do say that it is a sin. However, physically it does not hurt you. One is a statement about morals and beliefs, and one is a statement about the physical. From another POV, it doesn’t appear as an attack.
I think it’s fair enough to find books more or less preferable for your family. I know I have strong preferences.
The difference is that the Planned Parenthood endorsement isn’t a mandate.
IMHO, the real issue is with what the schools teach kids, and when they begin teaching it.
Julie
Using My Words
November 28th, 2007 at 6:52 pm, Denise Says:
Wait. Hold on Dana. You’re saying Logan’s book is ok but that PP piece was not? Logan does the same thing PP does - Some religions DO in fact believe masturbation is a sin. That is a fact. It is also a fact that masturbation cannot physically harm you. Logan says it in her book and PP says it too.
I have owned Perfectly Normal. My children have read it. Nobody in our home has been embarrassed by it. And I don’t think
You are upset with PP for providing information about sex that your child might find in the school library? Dana that is not PP’s fault, that’s the fault of your school library. If you don’t want your child to be able to check out sex ed books, then bring that up with your school district - don’t blame PP.
Have you actually read the section about abortion that is included in this particular book? Because it does not suggest that abortion is the right answer - it simply provides factual information about what abortion is. Information, that’s it. And again, you don’t want your child exposed to this info - call your school and plead your case.
PP is in the business of providing accurate information about sexual health, which they do. Nothing inaccurate there. They are not in the business of morality, that’s up to you, your church, your God and your family - PP does not want to take that right away from you, Dana - or your children - anymore than Logan does.
I would love to understand why Logan’s book is ok with you but It’s Perfectly Normal is not. I’ve read them both, I see no significant difference. Sigh.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:57 am, dana Says:
My main beef with this book is the fact that it’s targeting ten year olds. Third graders. And I’ve read Logan’s book as well. She writes her book to assist parents in talking to their children about sex, she’s not handing out her book to third graders. I agree with you 100%!! It is up to me to teach my children about sex, and morality. I fully intend to do so. I never claimed PP book was inaccurate when it talks about sex or masturbation. However — as a person of faith, seeing the words “some religions call masturbation a sin, but it can’t hurt you” is rather controversial in itself. Yes, no physical harm will come to my child, that’s correct. But what about spiritually as far as our religion is concerned? Wouldn’t that then be inaccurate in regards to my family’s religion?
I totally agree that there are good services PP provides, I’ve mentioned those. There are some services that I do not think are good. Planned Parenthood doesn’t even feel the need to report statutory rape, Denise. As long as the 13 or 14 year old child doesn’t tell them her 22 year old “boyfriend” is the father of the child she is carrying, they do not care. So now, I’m supposed to trust this agency to deliver accurate sexual information to children? Are you kidding me?
November 29th, 2007 at 7:52 pm, Logan Levkoff Says:
Perhaps I can be of some assistance here:) I think that the lesson we can learn in this debate(whether you like the book, It’s Perfectly Normal, or not) is that parents SHOULD be involved in the types of material we show our children. There are wonderful sex-ed books for kids, but whatever your religious or political beliefs, you may not be ready to show your children every single page. There are no rules that dictate how you give these books. If you like some of the chapters in It’s Perfectly Normal (or anything else for that matter), photocopy the pages and give them to your children. You don’t just have to hand the book over. Eventually, if your kids wind up asking you why you are not giving them the book in entirety, you can talk to them about whatever the issue is and present this debate to them. That’s the kind of dialogue that will be very meaningful for your children and teens now and in the future.