For Goodness Sex

A Sex-Positive Guide to Raising Healthy, Empowered Teens

By: Al Vernacchio

Narrated by: Michael David Axtell

“A breath of much-needed fresh air around a very charged subject.”—Christiane Northrup, M.D., OB/GYN physician and author of the New York Times bestsellers Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause

“Vernacchio's no-blame, no-shame approach will inspire parents to drop their fears, judgments, and inhibitions in order to help their kids navigate the teen years.”—Publishers Weekly

A progressive approach to sexuality education that challenges commonly-held beliefs about how we talk to young people about sex and offers a controversial yet proven alternative to the standard conversations taking place in schools and homes across America.

Sex education today generally falls into one of two categories: abstinence-only or abstinence-based education—both of which tend to withhold important, factual information and leave young adults ill-equipped to make safe decisions. Al Vernacchio, a high school sexuality educator who holds a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality from the University of Pennsylvania, has created a new category: sex-positive education. In For Goodness Sex, he refutes the “disaster prevention” model of sex ed, offering a progressive and realistic approach: Sexuality is a natural part of life, and healthy sexuality can only develop from a sex-positive, affirming appreciation.

Curious yet fearful of being judged, young people turn to peers, the Internet, and the media, where they receive problematic messages about sex: boys are studs, girls are sluts; real sex should be like porn; hookups are better than relationships. Without a broader understanding to offset these damaging perceptions, teenagers are dangerously unprepared intellectually and emotionally to grow and develop as sexual beings. For Goodness Sex offers the tools and insights adults need to talk young people and help them develop healthy values and safe habits. With real-life examples from the classroom, exercises and quizzes, and a wealth of sample discussions and crucial information, Vernacchio offers a guide to sex education for the twenty-first century.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Amazing resource with healthy, respectful, real world advice.

Amazing resource with healthy, respectful, real world advice. I would love a short booklet of talking points to use for discussions with my teens. Every parent should listen to this book.

Wonderful book

This book does a wonderful job of teaching both teens and parents how to have a healthy, productive, and meaningful sexual experience. I read this book before going to college and I am so glad I did. It taught me a lot about communication and the realities of sex.

Every parent should read this!

Conversation starters, stats, encouragement, and information to help you know how to navigate sexual orientation, sexuality, gender exploration, dating, sexual harassment, all of it. Great book that every parent should read.