Amy T. Schalet

This book provides a much needed look at differing approaches to teenage sex among two sets of parents: one set American parents, where there is one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the western world; the other set Dutch, where there is one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancy in the western world. Unfortunately, the book was based almost solely on interviews, with self-reported attitudes and actions being reported as true, no evidence that any sort of verification was done, and no hard data to back up the assumptions made by the researcher. In addition, she has a major problem with biological explanations of teen sexuality, always using sneer quotes when making references to these explanations given by American parents. In this respect, however, the American parents are probably closer to right than the Dutch parents, and a brief update at the end of the book did suggest that the Dutch system might be having a bit more difficulty than originally believed. The author writes about the Dutch experience through a set of rose-colored glasses that prevent her from asking the hard questions she puts to the American system. While it is very possible (even probable) that there is much good in the approach of Dutch parents, it is also possible that the belief among the Dutch that teenagers will self-regulate in matters of alcohol and sex might be just a tad optimistic. Again, this appeared to be showing up in her update, but still without hard evidence, and mostly anecdotal information about the dissatisfaction that some of the Dutch were experiencing with their children. Overall, this topic could use a solid treatment with good data. This just wasn't it.… (plus d'informations)