Jonathan McKee
Bethany House, 2015, 194 pp., $13.99
In his book More Than Just the Talk, author Jonathan McKee holds nothing back, doesn’t mince words, pulls no punches and presents the facts about teens and sexuality in this country. Based on the title of the book, it would appear McKee’s target audience would be limited to parents; however, his writing style is engaging enough that teen’s themselves would benefit from this read. The book is loaded with statistics from national publications, listing the current sexual behaviors of teenagers in our country. The information is startling, overwhelming and somewhat depressive. McKee builds a detailed argument about how music, video games, television, smart phones and the Internet are sexually influencing our teens.
Regarding the Internet and pornography McKee said:
• The average age of first Internet exposure to pornography is 11.
• 28 percent of 16- to 17-year-olds have been unintentionally exposed to porn online.
• 83 percent of boys and 57 percent of girls have seen group sex online.
• Every year, pornography generates $13 billion in the United States.
• 24 percent of smartphone owners admit to having pornographic material on their mobile devices.
• 50 percent of all Christian men and 20 percent of all Christian women say they are addicted to pornography.
• 93 percent of boys and 62 percent of girls are exposed to porn before their 18th birthdays.
• 15 percent of boys and 9 percent of girls have viewed (illegal) child pornography online.
None of this appears to be anything new. We’re all aware of this, correct? McKee has a way of revealing this information so parents and youth leaders are shaken awake from whatever dullness or apathy might have overtaken them. His answer to this crisis in our country: parents! If this were easy, everyone already would be talking with their kids about sexuality, spirituality and purity. McKee attempts to encourage, train and instruct parents in a non-condemning, non-judgmental, collegial manner. Rather he hopes to partner with parents on what many believe is one of the most important topics of our current generation. He concludes his book with very sensitive questions kids probably are thinking about but may not be so willing to ask a parent, and honest, biblical, practical answers parents may give. His website, TheSource4Parents.com, provides a surplus of resources, as well as reviews on movies, video games, blogs and podcasts.
Though this book was written with a parent in mind, it will be valuable to you as a youth leader for staying current on the topic of teen sexuality, as well as directing and coaching parents who are seeking healthy resources and help in their relationships with their kids.
