Boys & Sex

Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity by Peggy Orenstein

Peggy Orenstein’s “Boys & Sex” is a must-read for anyone invested in understanding the complexities of young men’s experiences with sexuality in the 21st century. Orenstein, known for her groundbreaking work on girls and sex, now turns her attention to boys, revealing a landscape fraught with contradictions, anxieties, and evolving expectations.

Through intimate interviews with young men from diverse backgrounds, Orenstein uncovers the hidden realities of their sexual lives, from their first encounters with porn to navigating the nuances of consent in a hookup culture. She adeptly explores the challenges boys face in reconciling traditional notions of masculinity with the changing landscape of gender roles and relationships.

Orenstein’s writing is empathetic, insightful, and unflinchingly honest. She doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, such as sexual assault, body image issues, and the impact of pornography on young minds. Yet, she also highlights the positive aspects of contemporary boyhood, acknowledging the growing awareness of consent and the embrace of feminism and LGBTQ+ rights.

“Boys & Sex” is not merely a book about sex. It’s a deep dive into the emotional lives of young men, their struggles, their aspirations, and their evolving understanding of masculinity. It’s a call for parents, educators, and society as a whole to engage in more open and honest conversations about sex and relationships with boys, providing them with the tools and support they need to navigate this complex terrain.

While the book primarily focuses on American experiences, its insights are relevant globally, as the challenges and pressures faced by young men transcend cultural boundaries. “Boys & Sex” is a timely and essential read that sheds light on a critical but often overlooked aspect of adolescence, offering a path towards healthier and more fulfilling relationships for boys and men alike.