This is a short list of books I would recommend for parents to read. Several of them have a bent, bias, or philosophy that I personally don't agree with, but I would still recommend them for the material presented in them.
Don’t Take Love Lying Down
by Brad Henning
This book is generally for high school kids but it’s a good read for parents as well. If you’ve ever had a relationship fall apart; if you’ve been burned and don’t understand why; if you wonder what real love is; or maybe this relationship stuff just doesn’t make sense to you, then this book is for you (or your kids).
Other issues:
Why all guys seem like jerks to girls (but girls still want one)
Why girls are so hard to understand (and like it that way)
Why guys are afraid to ask girls out
How to find the right person and know when it’s true love
How to evaluate relationships
Why sex is such a big deal and how to deal with it
Epidemic: How Teen Sex is Killing our Kids
by Meg Meeker, M.D. Dr. Meg Meeker
Dr. Meeker has lived on the front lines of this epidemic for more than twenty years as a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine. She sees first hand what sexually transmitted diseases are doing to kids in America. She also describes the hidden life of many of our teenagers and what needs to happen in order to bring health to these kids’ lives. This book will be an eye opener to the people who are unaware of the sexual practices of the kids in our public and private schools.
Unhooked, How Young Women Pursue Sex, Delay Love and Lose at Both
by Laura Sessions Stepp
Laura Sessions Stepp gives readers an inside view of the hook-up culture, where young people’s sexual contact rarely comes with long-term expectations. What she discovers is both disturbing and enlightening: a successful and fiercely independent generation of young women who are ill-equipped to balance sexual freedom with commitment. They are disillusioned by love and unsure how to build lasting, meaningful relationships. It’s an eye-opening look at how young people cope with the dating challenges they confront every day. You might not agree with all her conclusions (I didn’t) but she is very insightful and helpful.
Unprotected
by Anonymous, M.D.
On the back cover: “Everyone is disturbed about the epidemics on college campuses of sexually transmitted diseases, depression, eating disorders, and suicidal behavior. Dr. Anonymous takes issue with the experts who suggest that these problems can be solved with free condoms and Zoloft. What campus counselors and health providers must do, she argues, is tell uncomfortable, politically incorrect truths, especially to young patients in there most vulnerable and confused moments. Instead of platitudes and misinformation, it’s time to offer them real protection.”
Dr. Anonymous wrote undercover from fear of retaliation from her own peers. She since has come out and now speaks all over the country on the subjects covered in her book.
Parents’ Answer Book
by James Dobson
Dr. Dobson, one of today’s most respected experts on parenting and family issues, offers sensible solutions to the challenges parents face every day on hundreds of issues.
Issues:
Building your children’s confidence
Discipline effectively
Calming sibling rivalry
Coping with attentions deficit disorder
Succeeding as a single parent or a stepparent
Nurturing your infant, toddler, or preschooler
Communication with your teen
Choosing public, private, or home school education
Encouraging children’s spiritual development
The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce
by Judith S. Wallerstein, Julia M. Lewis and Sandra Blakeslee
The Unexpected Legacy of divorce challenges our fundamental beliefs about divorce and the resulting conditions presented to our kids. The book follows the children of divorce in vivid detail through adolescence and in to their love affairs, their marriage successes and failures, and eventually to the parenting of their own children. It describes their struggle with the fear that their relationships will fail like those of their parents. Later in the book the authors describe how they over came the dread of betrayal to find loving partners and become successful, protective parents.
Return To Modesty
by Wendy Shallit
When was the last time you heard the word "modesty" used in public other than "a modest income"? When was the last time you heard the word "condom" used in public? Shallit argues very persuasively that modesty is a built in guardian that society has desperately tried to beat out of us, to make us a more enlightened society. Has it been worth it? She would say no.
The Case for Marriage
by Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher
This a compelling defense of marriage. The authors attack the current anti-marriage wisdom and destroy it. She describes married people as being healthier, happier, more productive, and enjoy better sex. Is marriage just another choice among many lifestyles or is it crucial to a healthy society and individuals? You be the judge, but only after you read this book.
Reviving Ophelia - Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls
by Mary Pipher Ph.D
The book does an especially good job of describing the life of the typical junior and senior high school girl as she weaves her way through her emotions, sexuality, boys, peer pressure, looks, the media, depression, violence and life in general. Pipher is a very insightful women that has great suggestions as to how to help your daughter not only survive this period of life but to maximize it. All that said, she is a strong feminist and sometimes leans in ways I would not agree with but it’s a good read and very helpful.
You Just Don't Understand - Women and Men in Conversation
by Deborah Tannen, Ph.D
The New York Times Book Review said, "Ms. Tannen has written a refreshing and readable account of the complexities of communication between men and women...Aside from the vivid examples and lively prose, what makes this book particularly engaging is the author makes linguistics interesting and usable....This book will help many put their problems of communication with the opposite sex in a manageable perspective."
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
by John Gray
Many people have put this book down but usually the same people haven't actually read it. It has been tremendously successful for a good reason. It simply describes men and women in a general sense and how they interact in life and what happens when they don't understand where the other is coming from. It is easy to read and has good input into how to communicate with the opposite sex. I personally believe it would be a very helpful book for both guys and girls who are dating.
Men and Marriage
by George Gilder
This is one of the most profound books I've ever read. Ever! Every sentence is packed and worth reading. The problem is you may have trouble finding it it’s out of print, but it's worth the hunt. The back cover of the book says: "Men and Marriage examines the loss of the family and the well-defined sex roles it used to offer and how this loss has changed the focus of our society. Poverty, for instance, comes from the destruction of the family when single parents are abandoned by their lovers or older women are suddenly divorced because society approves of the husband's new, younger girlfriend. Gilder claims that men will only own up to their paternal obligations when women lead them to do so and that this civilizing influence, balance with proper economic support, is the most important part of maintaining a productive, healthy, loving society." Gilder brings healthy social structure and marriage together and makes them inseparable. If our society is to survive then, marriage between a man and a women must survive as well. Without a commitment to marriage the male nature will destroy our culture. Gilder describes the power of the women's role in society and men's reactions to it. This book has great significance in how we raise our children, especially our boys.
