Author: Peggy Orenstein

“Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity” by Peggy Orenstein is an insightful exploration of the sexual lives of young men in today’s society. Here’s a detailed summary and some reviews:

Summary

Peggy Orenstein, known for her work on young women’s sexuality in “Girls & Sex,” turns her focus to young men in this book. She delves into how boys navigate the complex landscape of modern masculinity, sexuality, and relationships. The book is based on extensive interviews with young men, psychologists, academics, and other experts. Key themes include:

1. Locker Room Talk: Orenstein examines the culture of “locker room talk” and how it shapes boys’ attitudes towards sex and relationships. She discusses how such conversations often reinforce toxic masculinity and diminish empathy.

2. Pornography as Sex Education: The book explores how pornography has become a primary source of sex education for many young men. Orenstein discusses the implications of this trend, including distorted views of sex and relationships.

3. Hookup Culture: Orenstein investigates the hookup culture prevalent among young people. She looks at how boys understand and engage in casual sex, and the emotional and psychological impacts of these experiences.

4. Consent and Sexual Violence: The book addresses the critical issues of consent and sexual violence. Orenstein highlights the challenges boys face in understanding and practicing consent, and discusses their experiences as both victims and perpetrators of sexual violence.

5. Emotional Intimacy: Orenstein explores the difficulties boys encounter in forming emotionally intimate relationships. She discusses how societal expectations of masculinity often hinder boys from expressing vulnerability and seeking emotional support.

6. Diverse Experiences: The book includes perspectives from boys of different sexual orientations, races, and backgrounds, providing a comprehensive view of young male sexuality.

Reviews

Goodreads: The book has a rating of 4.24 out of 5 from over 6,100 readers¹. Many readers appreciate Orenstein’s thorough research and empathetic approach. One reviewer mentioned that the book is a must-read for parents and educators to understand the pressures young men face today.

Amazon: With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 from over 300 ratings⁴, the book is praised for its candid and insightful exploration of young male sexuality. Reviewers highlight Orenstein’s ability to present complex issues in an accessible and engaging manner. One reviewer noted that the book provides valuable insights into the challenges of raising boys in the digital age.

The New York Times Book Review: The review emphasizes the book’s eye-opening nature and Orenstein’s belief in the potential goodness of boys². It highlights how the book cracks open the “boy world” and offers a vision of how boys can grow into better men.

Kirkus Reviews: The review praises Orenstein for her balanced and nuanced approach³. It notes that the book is both informative and thought-provoking, offering a much-needed perspective on young men’s experiences with sex and relationships.

Overall, “Boys & Sex” is highly regarded for its comprehensive and empathetic examination of young male sexuality. It is recommended for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern masculinity and the challenges young men face in navigating their sexual and emotional lives.

Source:
(1) Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent,. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45730106-boys-sex.
(2) Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating …. https://www.amazon.ca/Boys-Sex-Hookups-Navigating-Masculinity/dp/0062666983.
(3) Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating …. https://books.google.com/books/about/Boys_Sex.html?id=5weYDwAAQBAJ.
(4) Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating …. https://books.google.com/books/about/Boys_Sex.html?id=J75DxQEACAAJ.
(5) goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45730106-boys-sex.